WESTERN BUREAU:
THE TRIAL of a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, Conrad Spence, who is facing the charges of carnal abuse and assault, failed to get under way yesterday as scheduled.
The case which has been before the courts for more than five months was subsequently set for March 12 after the court learnt that Spence had agreed to have a DNA test done on him in order to determine whether he actually had intercourse with the 15-year-old complainant.
The result of the forensic examination done on the teenager revealed the presence of semen and the pastor has agreed to the test in order to show that it does not belong to him.
Spence, who has maintained his innocence in previous court appearances, had his $150,000 bail extended yesterday by Resident Magistrate for St. James, Paulette Williams.
The 36-year-old of Bickersteth, St. James, is facing the charges stemming from allegations that he sexually molested the 15-year-old girl, who lived with him and his wife, at various times between January and August of 2002. Court records state that the teenager made the charges about sexual abuse to the police following an argument between her and Spence over the washing of dishes. During an ensuing altercation, which reportedly occurred on September 4, Spence allegedly hit the girl three times in her face causing swelling and bruises.
It is also alleged that whenever the young girl refused the minister's sexual advances, he would beat her.
A formal report was made at the Montego Bay Police Station and afterwards the teenager was taken to a doctor. Spence was arrested on the morning of September 6.
During his first court appearance Spence charged that the girl had made similar allegations against other persons in the community but this statement was brushed aside by Acting Senior Resident Magistrate for St. James, Valerie Stephens.
