By Staff WriterA jury has convicted a man of raping a teenage girl at her home in February 2023. A central plank of the defence, led by attorney Sherfield Bowen, was the gap between the complainant’s original police statement and the fuller account she later gave. The complainant’s aunt testified that the accused contacted her after the incident, denying any wrongdoing and claiming the teen was trying to frame him for rape. A step-aunt also gave evidence, telling the court she was contacted after the incident and found the teen visibly upset. After the prosecution’s witnesses had testified, the accused gave an unsworn statement denying any physical contact with the complainant.