Thirty-four year-old taxi driver, Samuel Powell, otherwise called “Bushy” of 16 Norman Lane, Kingston 13 was charged with abduction and rape on Friday after facing an identification parade in Yallahs, St Thomas.

The offence allegedly occurred in Yallahs, St Thomas on March 23, 2001, but Powell was held by the Hunts Bay police last Wednesday when he reported to the station as a condition of his bail on a separate offence.

The complainant alleged that on the day in question she hired Powell’s cab at Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston at about 7:45 pm intending to go to Half-Way-Tree. She said on arrival in Half-Way-Tree she told Powell that she wanted to get to Mona, and Powell allegedly offered to take her there. On route, however, he diverted and went in the direction of downtown Kingston.

The complainant said that when she enquired about the change in direction Powell told her that he had to drop something off downtown.

She further alleges that on reaching the downtown area Powell locked the doors of the taxi and drove to Yallahs in St Thomas where he turned into bushes and sexually assaulted her.

Powell will face the Yallahs RM court on Tuesday, February 5.