Man accused of raping Church Pen girls formally charged

Brown, 35, of Thetford, Church Pen and also of a St Ann address, was apprehended last week   in Yallahs, St. Thomas, after an intense manhunt. He now faces charges including rape, sexual offence of a child, grievous sexual assault, forcible abduction, and unlawful detention with intent to commit sexual offences. 

The victims, sisters aged nine and 10, were allegedly attacked on May 7 while walking home from school. According to investigators, Brown forced them into bushes and committed several sexual acts, including intercourse with the older child. 

Commander of the St Catherine South Police Division, Acting SSP Leighton Grey, disclosed that Brown had a prior conviction for a sex crime in St. Thomas and had served prison time. 

The two sisters have since been withdrawn from school and are receiving counselling. A family source told Old Harbour News that while the children are coping, their mother remains deeply distressed. 

“The kids are holding up, they’re eating and sleeping alright so far,” the source said at the time when contacted. “But the mother sometimes just breaks down and cries over what happened.” 

The case has intensified calls for stricter penalties under Jamaica’s Sexual Offences Act, especially following the recent murder of nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon in Spanish Town. 

Brown is currently in custody and is expected to face court proceedings soon. 

Investigators have praised the public’s cooperation in his capture.