Former Church Dayton Diamond Ridge deacon, Donovan Jones, and his co-accused James Rodgers are to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court for the third time in three days today.
Yesterday defence attorney Paul Beswick cross-examined another of the arresting officers involved in the sexual assault case related to a 13-year-old schoolgirl. The questioning of the police was
centred around the events leading to Jones arrest on July 5.
The police said they saw Jones in the church, which was closed, but by the time they got inside he was gone. Jones was arrested at his home off Waltham Park Road. The defence is contending,
however, that Jones was not at the church when the police arrived.
Hansurd Lawson, Clerk of Court, said the Crown stands by the police's statement.
Jones, 46, is alleged to have stood by and done nothing while the girl was molested by boys in a van he was driving.
Facing Charges
He is facing charges of carnal abuse, aiding and abetting carnal abuse, nine counts of indecent assault, three counts of assault with intent to rape, one count of cruelty to a child, one count of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one count of aiding and abetting indecent assault.
His co-accused, 18-year-old Rodgers, is also charged with carnal abuse and aiding and abetting carnal abuse. He faces three counts of indecent assault, three counts of assault with intent to rape, and aiding and abetting indecent assault.
Both men have been in jail since July 5. The two other boys involved pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault and are out on bail. They are to be
sentenced on September 8.
Bail for Jones and Rodgers could hinge on the validity of the police statements as to the events of July 5.
