Pastor says teen rape allegations part of extortion attempt, granted $1.5 million bail

Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer

The Kingston pastor accused of repeatedly having sex with a 12-year-old girl before impregnating her is fighting back, saying the allegations were part of an extortion attempt.

The assertion was made in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court this morning by Abel-don Foote, the attorney for pastor Kenneth Blake.

Blake has been granted bail in the sum of $1.5 million.

Senior Parish Judge Simone Wolfe Reece has ordered that he should not be alone with anyone under the age of 18 years old, except his children.

Blake has also been ordered to surrender his travel documents and report to the Harbour View Police every Wednesday and Saturday.

A stop order is to be placed on him at the ports.

Wolfe Reece also said Blake not to have any contact with the complainant, her mother or any of her siblings.

In a bail application this morning, Foote told the court that the clergyman has offered to provide DNA samples to prove that he did not impregnate the alleged 14-year-old complainant.

He says the complaint denied sexually assaulting or molesting anyone adding that‎ the complaint against the pastor was borne out of malice and ill-will.

Blake, who is the pastor of the Harvest Temple Apostolic Church on Slipe Pen Road is  charged with rape, grievous sexual assault, forcible abduction, sexual touching and sexual intercourse with a person under the age 16 years old.

It's alleged that on several occasions between 2015 and this year, he had sex with the minor and gave her cash and other gifts to keep it a secret.