Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town

A St Catherine man who admitted that he had sex with an underage girl on his birthday was remanded on a carnal abuse charge when he appeared before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The man, an auto mechanic, of Golden View, Kitson Town in St Catherine, was taken into custody on April 4, by the Guanaboa Vale police.

According to Detective Corporal Kirk Roache, he went to the accused man's house approximately 8:00 a.m. in search of the 14-year-old girl who was reported missing for nearly a week. When the accused was questioned, he reportedly said that he had not seen the child. However, when checks were made, she was found under his bed dressed only in her underwear.

He was subsequently charged with six counts of carnal abuse and one count of harbouring a juvenile.

When the case came up for mention, the accused man told the court that he was guilty with explanation.

"... Yuh si mam, as a gentleman I came home off the road about 2:00 (and) saw the child crying and gave her comfort," he said.

The Resident Magistrate, however, refused to entertain his story and told the accused that as someone who knew the child's family, he should have taken her to her parents or guardian.

He was subsequently remanded until May 6.