A 65-year-old New Amsterdam man was yesterday acquitted of two charges alleging sexual offences against a girl who was between 10 and 11 years old.

Neil Fredericks, a heavy-duty truck and machinery operator of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 and rape of a child under 16 following a trial before Justice Peter Hugh at the Berbice Assizes.

The first count alleged that between March 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, in Berbice, Fredericks engaged in sexual activity with the child. The second alleged that he sexually penetrated her during the same period.

Fredericks pleaded not guilty to both counts and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He was represented by attorney-at-law Charlyn Artiga.

State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards called 14 witnesses, including five police officers, a medical doctor, the complainant and her relatives.

After Justice Hugh summed up the evidence yesterday morning, the 12-member jury, comprising both men and women, retired to deliberate. It subsequently returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on both counts.

Fredericks became emotional when the verdicts were announced and was seen in tears as he left the courtroom.

Speaking to Berbice media outside the courthouse, he expressed relief at the outcome, saying the allegations had been brought by people he had cared for and assisted. He said the proceedings had taken a significant toll on him and caused sleepless nights.

“I would like to tell a lot of men, don’t take women with children; stay away from them,” he stated.

He also expressed gratitude to God, his attorney and the jurors.

Meanwhile, the complainant’s mother told Kiskadee Watch that she was dissatisfied with the verdicts.