Suspended prison officer being tried for rape

A prison officer who is on suspension after he was charged with raping a young woman, will know his fate next week.

Andy Browne appeared at High Court #1 before Justice Brian Cottle on November 20, where he pleaded not guilty to the rape charge.

He was accused that on July 2, 2022 in Villa, he raped a female who was 21 years old at the time of the offence.

Browne, who was 36 years old at the time, was said to have committed the offence at a house.

A nine-member mixed jury is adjudicating the matter.

The state’s case is being led by Crown Counsel Richie Maitland, with the assistance of Crown Counsel Renee Simmons.

Several witnesses are appearing in this matter including the victim’s mother, her friends as well as Forensic Expert Acting Corporal of Police 245 Roland Dasent and head of the Sexual Offences Unit(SOU) Station Sergeant Desrine Daize.

The case was initially set to conclude in three days, but was adjourned to Monday, November 27 due to the illness of one of the witnesses.

Representing the accused is Lawyer Grant Connell.