NATIONAL Security Minister Hermangild Francis is putting rapists – and those thinking of committing the act – on notice.
He says that with the forensic laboratory now functioning properly, there is no need to wait for eyewitness evidence.
As such, he is warning rapists that their crimes will now be possibly detected quicker than ever before.
Speaking to reporters yesterday ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting, the minister said (to rapists and potential rapists), “We may not be able to stop (you), but the warning out there is that we will catch you if you are going to commit that sort of crime,” the former Deputy Police Commissioner declared.
‘We will be able to catch that individual, based on the fact that the lab has so far been able to solve two of these gruesome rapes where our women were raped and killed,’ Francis said.
He explained that police were given the information needed to arrest and charge such persons.
The minister spoke against the backdrop of reports that police are about to lay charges against a suspected serial rapist, who has been linked to some 11 sexual assaults on females. Police have also been investigating a report of the rape of a British national in the North of the Island recently.
“My information is that there is a suspect and the police are working with that individual at present,” the National Security Minister disclosed.
Francis said he is very happy with the performance of the forensic laboratory and lauded the director and her staff.
He explained that the Director is now trying to ensure that her staff, the police and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions work ‘hand in hand.’
“I think because of that synergy we have seen, evidence is being collected properly and they have been able to analyse the evidence that has been collected. So that is the way we are going to continue,” Francis said.
He also revealed that much training will be given to members of staff of the forensic laboratory and the police.