Rape suspect Barnes charged

A suspected rapist who was accused by police of abducting and raping a woman in a vehicle last weekend and attempting to approach an 11-year-old girl on the same day has now been charged in a separate case.

Jeffrey Barnes, 32, appeared in court Friday in connection with a sexual assault on a 17-year-old female in the Windsor Park area of George Town on 21 October.

Barnes was charged with one count of indecent assault in connection with the incident and was remanded in custody to the George Town Police Station until his next appearance before the court Monday.

No application for bail was made on Barnes’ behalf by his attorney John Furniss. Crown prosecutors said such an application would be challenged if it was made.

Barnes was the subject of an Island-wide manhunt earlier this week following the abduction and sexual assault of a 49-year-old woman in the Red Bay area last Saturday. Police said Barnes had approached an 11-year-old earlier the same day in the same general area, but did not touch or hurt her.

He was arrested in Prospect at the Ocean Club condos Tuesday afternoon where police said he had been staying with a girlfriend.