The Grand Court trial of a man accused of molesting a minor came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, 29 Nov., after the jury was discharged due to legal reasons – on the second day of the three-day trial.
A court-imposed reporting restriction prevents Cayman Compass from disclosing the reason why the jury was released.
The defendant, Gordon Aaron McLaughlin, is on trial for four counts of indecent assault on a minor. He denies the charges.
The allegations in the case are that McLaughlin, who was a close family friend, was left alone with the 14-year-old child – after he was entrusted to complete renovations within the home.
McLaughlin is said to have indecently fondled the child, and then used her hands to touch himself inappropriately. The most serious charge alleges that he held the child down on a bed while she was partially wrapped in a towel, but eventually released her after she screamed.
“I order that the jury is to be discharged from this trial, and from the wider jury pool of this session,” Justice Marlene Carter said, when dismissing the jurors.
McLaughlin has been released on bail, and a new trial date has been set for 16 Jan. 2023.
Related Videos
