ACCUSED of raping a 17-year-old girl in January, a 53-year-old policeman was yesterday freed of the charge when he appeared before a magistrate.

Following a submission by his attorney Kevin Ratiram, PC Roopwan Singh was told that he was free to go as the prosecution could not prove its case.

It was alleged that Roopwan, who is on pre-retirement leave, had sexual intercourse with the teen, without her consent, on a gravel road in Debe on January 24.

When the matter was called before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, police prosecutor Sgt Joey Samaroo asked for an adjournment.

He told Wellington that no State attorney had yet been appointed to prosecute Roopwan and the alleged victim was not in court.

Ratiram objected on the ground that enough time had elapsed for the State to have appointed an attorney. He said also that no reason was given for the absence of the alleged victim.

Following the dismissal of the charge, Singh said he was happy that justice had prevailed.