(Brian Cozier)
Magistrate Crystal Lambert on Tuesday dismissed a sexual activity charge against a man who was accused of touching an eight-year-old girl on her vagina after the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against him to yield a conviction.
Brian Cozier, 28, a pork knocker had denied the charge which stated that on August 12, 2020, at Agatash Village, Bartica, Region Seven, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.
When Cozier’s trial concluded on Tuesday, the magistrate upheld a no-case submission presented by his lawyer, Bernard DaSilva. Accordingly, she dismissed the charge against him.
In the no-case submission, the lawyer contended that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and as such, his client should be found not guilty.
The trial was conducted at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
It was alleged that Cozier visited the child’s home since he is known to her parents. While there, it was alleged that he raised up the child’s blouse and then touched her private part.
The child then related to her grandmother what transpired and the matter was reported to the Police. Following an investigation, Cozier was arrested and charged.