Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
REVEREND ORANE Ellis was remanded in custody in the Old Harbour Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday on eight counts of indecent assault, and two counts of carnal abuse, stemming from allegations that he had sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.
Ellis, who pastors the Banister Church of God in rural St. Catherine, was chastised by the presiding judge, Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar-Gayle, for using his influence to take advantage of wards of the state. The church is located next door to the Yadel's Children's Home in Banister where the offences were committed.
According to Deutress Foster-Gardener, detective inspector of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, between October 28 and November 3 this year, Ellis, on at least two occasions, sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. On eight other occasions, it is alleged that the clergyman fondled eight other girls between the ages of 14 and 18 and pushed his tongue down their throats. The offences were said to have taken place during the recent period of heavy rainfall when the pastor had gone to the home on the pretext of counselling the children.
RECENTLY MARRIED
The court also learnt that Rev. Ellis, 22, and recently married, had only taken up his position as a pastor on October 6, barely a month before he started to commit the offences. It was revealed in court by his attorney, Sean Kinghorn, that after a meeting with the police, the clergyman had in fact admitted to having sex with at least one of the girls.
In his application for bail, however, the lawyer told the RM that Rev. Ellis was a "good shepherd of the flock" and that he had trespassed and things would not be the same for him for a very long time. He implored the judge, however, that even in light of the current situation, his client is a worthwhile person and should be granted bail as he was just four months into his marriage. The Crown did not accede to his request, and the judge told the lawyer that his client would be remanded. She then addressed the clergyman with a scathing rebuke.
Justice Errar-Gayle told the minister of religion that he had compromised his moral responsibility by sexually abusing a ward of the state.
He has been remanded in custody until December 8.
