A resident of a home for the elderly has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison after police arrested and charged him with serious indecency of an 82-year-old woman who also lives at the same place.
The accused, aged 65, was allegedly caught committing the act on April 6 and the police were immediately summoned.
For the safety of the other residents at the home, especially the alleged victim, Magistrate Keith Thom remanded the accused to prison where he will remain until his committal, which is set for July 7.
The accused was not required to plead to the charge since it is indictable and can be tried in the High Court before a judge and jury.
The Sexual Offences Act defines “serious indecency” as an act other than sexual intercourse, by a person involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
It states that a person who commits the offence is liable on conviction to imprisonment of 10 years if the crime was committed on or towards a minor under 16 years of age and for five years, if committed on a person 16 years and older.
The names of the accused and victim have been withheld, in keeping with the rules of the Sexual Offences Act.
A source, who has been in the home for more than a decade, said this is the first time such an incident has occurred. The source also disclosed that the authorities have put several measures in place and have been more vigilant in an effort to prevent similar offences in the future.
