Bahamian Government legislator on rape and death threat charges granted bail
Government legislator Kirk Cornish was granted US$9,000 bail on Wednesday after he appeared in court on two counts of rape against a 35-year-old woman.
In addition, Cornish, 48, who on Tuesday was forced to resign as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, faces two additional counts of assault and death threats.
Justice Gregory Hilton at the Supreme Court, in granting bail to Cornish, said he must report to the police station in Cooper’s Town, Abaco, once per week.
The prosecution said the crimes allegedly occurred in Coopers Town, Abaco and Nassau, New Providence, between January 20 and April.
Cornish was not required to plead to the allegations when he appeared before the Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.
The matter has been adjourned to October 17 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
On Tuesday, police issued a statement stating that “preliminary reports indicate that around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023, a 35-year-old female of S.C. Bootle Highway reported to police that she was sexually assaulted and threatened by a male known to her.”
Before his appearance in court, Cornish released a statement saying the charges are “based on totally false allegations.
“I am fully confident that the facts which emerge during the judicial process will prove my innocence. I look forward to ending this nightmare. The facts will show that this was a breakup manipulated and exploited for political reasons – and nothing more,” he added.
In his statement that he had asked Cornish to resign, Prime Minister Phillip Davis said he wanted to “assure the people of North Abaco that efforts to build opportunities and relief in your communities are on the way and will face no interruptions.”
He said an independent Director of Public Prosecutions had determined sufficient evidence to bring charges against the legislator.
“It is now up to our judicial system to resolve the outcome, so I will not be providing additional comment except to say that my prayers are extended to all suffering because of this matter,” Davis said.
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