Taxi driver found guilty of raping girl, 12

A 36-year-old taxi driver was on Wednesday afternoon found guilty by a 12-member jury of raping a 12-year-old girl.

Feroz Shakeer had been on trial for the offence of rape of a child under 16 before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Sexual Offences Court in Georgetown.

Upon his arraignment, he had denied the charge which alleged that on December 3, 2015, he engaged in sexual penetration with the girl. Following deliberations on Wednesday, the jury found him guilty.

A sentencing hearing for the child rapist is set for July 15.

On the day in question, Shakeer picked up the victim, her cousin and two other school children from the G3 Mall at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

He then dropped off the two children, leaving the victim and her cousin in the vehicle. Instead of dropping them to their requested destination, Shakeer drove to a remote area in Diamond where he raped the victim.

Throughout his trial, Shakeer was represented by Attorneys-at-Law George Thomas and Madan Kissoon, while State Counsel Cicelia Corbin appeared on behalf of the prosecution.