Guidance counsellor charged with student’s rape

Jacqueline Woods

“Mr. Hyde we just wanted to know if you would care to comment on the accusation that has been levied against you.”

Douglas Hyde

“No comment.”

Jacqueline Woods

“So you’re saying that it’s not true or it’s true?”

Douglas Hyde

“No comment.”

That was the scene this afternoon as twenty-four year old Douglas Hyde, a counsellor at the Anglican Cathedral College, was escorted to Magistrate’s Court. Hyde was charged with rape in connection with an incident that took place inside his office on the school’s compound. It is alleged that around 9:40 last Wednesday morning, two female students arrived for an appointment with Hyde. According to police, at some point after the girls entered Hyde’s work place, he had sex with one of the fourteen-year-olds against her will. Hyde, who was defended by attorney Adolph Lucas, appeared before Magistrate Herbert Lord in courtroom number one. During his presentation, Lord said he would not be taking a plea from the defendant, but if his preliminary investigation finds sufficient evidence, the case will proceed in front of nine men and women at the Supreme Court. Until that time, Hyde will not be remanded to prison. Although the prosecution argued against bail, Lord granted it in the amount of seven thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount. Hyde was also released on certain conditions. One, that he hands over his passport and other travel documents to the Clerk of Courts. A resident of Hattieville Village, Hyde must also appear at the Hattieville police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. In addition, he must also stay away from both the complainant and witness and not have any contact with their families. Lord says if Hyde fails to adhere to any of these conditions he will have no choice but to remand him to Hattieville prison.