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JDF trainee allegedly ambushed, raped by colleagues at army HQ

Published:Saturday | March 20, 2021 | 12:22 AMRomario Scott/Gleaner Writer
File Rudolph Brown/Photographer In this file photo, Prime Minister Andrew Holness (third left) and Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rocky Meade (third right), cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the newly built Cannon Ball Gate at Up
Rudolph Brown/Photographer
File Rudolph Brown/Photographer In this file photo, Prime Minister Andrew Holness (third left) and Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rocky Meade (third right), cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the newly built Cannon Ball Gate at Up Park Camp, the Jamaica Defence Force’s headquarters, in Kingston. Looking on from left are St Andrew South East Member of Parliament Julian Robinson; National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang; E.G. Hunter, CEO of the National Works Agency; and Captain David Chin Fong.

In another massive blow to the reputation of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), two of its members have been charged with serious sexual offences including rape at the army’s Up Park Camp Headquarters in St Andrew.

At the centre of the latest controversy to rock the JDF are two male privates who are accused of ambushing a female colleague near an abandoned building on March 11, raping her and forcing her to perform other sexual acts.

Last night, head of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, Charmaine Shand, confirmed the charges.

The accused are Michael Grant, 22, of St Mary and Anuk Moncrieffe, 19, of St Catherine.

Shand told The Gleaner that Deputy Superintendent Radcliff Gordon is leading the investigation.

Reports are that about 8:30 p.m., the complainant, who is a JDF trainee, and a male companion were at an abandoned building when Grant and Moncrieffe entered.

It is alleged that both soldiers demanded money from the complainant and her companion and subsequently sent the male companion to get the cash.

It is further alleged that Grant had sexual intercourse with the woman against her will and forced her to carry out other sexual acts, while Moncrieffe kept watch.

Following the incident, the matter was reported to the JCF’s Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse on March 12. On Thursday, March 18, Grant was charged with rape, grievous sexual assault and robbery with aggravation, while Moncrieffe was charged with aiding and abetting rape, grievous sexual assault and robbery with aggravation.

Gender advocate Nadeen Spence, reacting to the latest scandal to explode at the army’s headquarters, said there should be a thorough investigation into the very serious allegations.

“If it is true, it would be very unfortunate,” Spence said.

“I really hope the law is allowed to run its course,” she added.

The men are to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday, March 29.

In January, a JDF officer resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

The army officer was charged under sections of the Defence Act for contravening the JDF’s Sexual Relationship and Fraternisation Policy.