A taxi driver who was charged with raping a woman was on Friday committed to stand trial for the offence before a judge and a jury at the High Court in Demerara. The man, 36-year-old Thurston Semple has since been released on $250,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of that trial.
Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty ruled that sufficient evidence was presented by the prosecution to warrant a trial. As a result of the committal, Semple of Tucville, Georgetown will go on trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.
Semple was not required to plead to the indictable charged which stated that between February 24, 2021, and February 25, 2021, at Georgetown, he engaged in sexual penetration with a woman without her consent. He has since denied raping the woman claiming that the allegation is “nothing but lies.”
According to reports, Semple would normally pay women to have sex with him and he usually takes them to his home to perform the act. Reports are that on the day in question, the virtual complainant was at a location in Georgetown when Semple drove up in his vehicle and began talking to her.
A few hours later, it was reported that Semple returned and made arrangements with the woman to have sex with her. In turn, she reportedly agreed to a payment of $10,000. The two then left in his car to his residence. The court heard that she went into his house on arrival at his home and sat on the bed where she smoked a cigarette. She then took off her clothes and the two began to have sex.
Based on reports, a few minutes later the woman complained that her vagina was hurting and Semple told her she will have to perform oral sex on him, but she refused. Semple allegedly then threatened her with a knife and assaulted her to her face and body.
The fearful woman managed to escape by jumping through a window.
It is alleged that Semple then ran behind her while being armed with a knife. Neighbours who saw the woman in the yard naked called the police and a mobile Police patrol was dispatched. On arrival at the scene, the police were informed by residents that the man had beaten the woman.
The woman was reportedly beaten into a state of unconsciousness. The Police summoned the ambulance while arresting Semple. The virtual complainant was taken to the admitted to hospital.
In 2017, Semple was charged for allegedly raping a woman.
It was reported that Semple met the woman at a nightclub and took her to a hotel where he had sex with her against her will. He was later arrested and charged.
Meanwhile, in January of 2018, Semple was charged for allegedly tying up two sex workers on separate occasions and raping them.
The court heard the Semple took the women to his home where he promised to pay them $10,000 each to perform sexual acts on him. When the acts were completed, Semple tied the women’s hands and feet and took them to the location where he met them, dropped them off, and drove off without paying.
The women reported the matter to the Police station. Semple was later arrested and charged.
Following a PI, a sufficient case was made out against Semple. As such, he was committed to stand trial before a judge and jury at the Demerara High Court He was also granted bail pending the hearing and determination of this trial.