–More than 50 of 74 matters involve children
Allegations involving the sexual abuse of children account for the overwhelming majority of matters listed on the sexual offences panel for the June 2026 Demerara Criminal Assizes, according to an analysis of the court docket released by the High Court.
The sexual offences panel, which will be heard before the High Court in Demerara, contains 74 matters ranging from rape and rape of a child under 16 years to sexual activity with a child family member and sexual assault charges.
The figures reveal that offences against children continue to comprise a substantial share of serious sexual offence cases reaching the High Court.
Of the 74 matters listed, approximately 43 involve charges of rape of a child under the age of 16, while approximately nine concern allegations of sexual activity with a child family member.
Together, those cases account for more than 70 per cent of the entire sexual offences docket.
The remaining matters include about 21 rape cases involving adult complainants, as well as a case involving charges of sexual assault and rape.
Several accused face multiple counts, including allegations involving more than one complainant or offences allegedly committed over extended periods.
The analysis also reveals that the vast majority of accused persons have been granted bail pending trial.
Of the 74 matters listed, roughly 65 involve defendants who are on bail, while only about nine accused remain in custody awaiting the commencement of their trials.
Those in custody include persons charged with rape, rape of a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child family member.
A closer examination of the docket shows that many of the child-related allegations involve multiple counts.
One accused faces seven counts of rape of a child under 16 years, while others face two, three or four counts arising from allegations said to have occurred over months or years.
Several matters involve allegations spanning entire months, suggesting that prosecutors may be relying on evidence that the offences occurred repeatedly during a specified period rather than on a single date.
The court list further indicates that the criminal justice system continues to grapple with both longstanding and recent allegations.
Among the oldest matters are cases involving alleged offences committed in 2010, 2013 and 2015 that are only now reaching trial.
At the same time, the panel contains a number of recent allegations dating from 2024 and 2025, demonstrating a steady flow of new cases entering the High Court system.
Retrials also feature on the docket. One matter involving allegations of rape of a child under 16 years has been listed as a retrial, meaning the case has previously been heard before the courts and will now be reconsidered.
Geographically, the cases originate from several magisterial districts across Guyana, including Georgetown, East Demerara, West Demerara, Upper Demerara River, North West and Rupununi.
However, East Demerara appears most frequently throughout the list, accounting for a significant portion of the matters before the court.
Another notable feature is the prevalence of allegations involving persons known to the complainants.
The nine matters alleging sexual activity with a child family member point to accusations arising within family settings, while many of the child rape cases involve allegations that the offences occurred over prolonged periods.
The June 2026 Demerara Criminal Assizes commenced on June 2 and includes 137 cases across murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, narcotics and sexual offence matters.
However, the sexual offences panel stands out for both the volume of cases and the significant number involving children.08:17
