‘Openly boasted’: Explosive claims over cricket rape allegations

A leading Caribbean social justice organisation has written to the president of Cricket West Indies to express its concern over the handling of a rape complaint involving a current West Indian player.

A current international cricketer has been accused of an alleged series of sexual offences by 11 women, including a teenager.

A leading Caribbean social justice organisation has written to the president of Cricket West Indies to express its concern over the handling of a rape complaint involving a current West Indian player, suggesting that the player “openly boasted” about his ability to dodge the legal system.

The letter, written by Melissa Holder – president of YANA (You Are Not Alone) Caribbean – makes various claims about police’s handling of the complaint. No charges have been laid in relation to the allegations.

“The victim’s family alleges significant interference and mishandling of the case by local authorities,” says the letter, seen by Code Sports and directed to CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow.

“It has been claimed that (the player) openly boasted about his ability to circumvent justice,” Holder wrote.

“The (alleged) victim and her family have reported numerous irregularities and a troubling lack of transparency. Alarmingly, this case also reportedly involved the victim surrendering her phone for investigative purposes, yet no subsequent updates or concrete actions were communicated clearly.”

The latter follows reports in the Kaiateur News – a South American newspaper – claiming that a West Indian international cricketer is alleged to have committed offences against 11 women including a teenager.

“The allegations that were levelled by the victim were levelled two years ago,” lawyer Nigel Hughes of the Law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby, said on SportsMax TV.

“An investigation was conducted and we understand that there were recommendations by the office of public prosecutions to institute charges.

“I think the evidence is pretty strong in relation to what is happening here.”

CWI has thus far declined to comment on the specifics of the situation.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) has not received any communication or official information and is therefore unable to comment at this time,” a CWI spokesman said.

Originally published as ‘Openly boasted’: Explosive claims over cricket rape allegations