Teacher, security guard accused of sexual crimes against students

Trigger Warning: This article contains information of a sensitive nature. Details include the alleged sexual assault of minors. The information can potentially be upsetting and may trigger negative feelings or memories.

A 46-year-old female private school teacher and a 35-year-old male security guard were jointly charged with one count of sexual penetration and one count of trafficking a minor for sexual exploitation.

They appeared before Magistrate Indra RamooHaynes at the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court on December 21, 2022.

The teacher was indicted for two counts of sexual penetration at a school, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of trafficking a minor for sexual exploitation and one count of sexual penetration at a house in East Trinidad.

She had a total of nine charges laid against her. Both accused were denied bail.

The charges stemmed from a report of sexual abuse and trafficking of two 12-year-old female students made directly to the Special Victims Department on November 3, 2022, by the Principal of the learning institution.

Reportedly both minors were sexually penetrated on the school compound by the teacher and again assaulted sexually by both accused at a location in Malabar between September 1 and November 3.

Investigations into the report were immediately launched which uncovered a sexual exploitation ring involving minors.

On December 13, both accused were arrested following a search warrant exercise. The charges were laid five days later on December 18 following the advice of legal officer Zaheer Ali.

Both teacher and security guard are expected to reappear in court on January 16.

Investigations into the incident were spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Criminal Division, Sharon Cooper, coordinated by Inspector Wayne Stanley and Sergeant Marlon Bishop and conducted by WPC Kernisha Valere all of the Child Protection Unit.

The investigation was also assisted by the acting Director of the Counter-Trafficking Unit Kimoy Thomas and its officers, members of the Inter-Agency Task Force, and the Cyber Crime Unit.