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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 16 2016 – President of the Public Service Association (PSA), Watson Duke, is due to appear in court on Monday charged with five offences arising from an allegation by an unidentified lawyer that she had been sexually assaulted by him in a hotel room last week.
Duke, who gave himself up to police last Thursday, was charged late Sunday night following directions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Duke has denied the allegations and in a statement last week said “these allegations are absolutely untrue and I intend to defend myself vigorously.
“I have communicated my intention to my family, my lawyers and to the appropriate authorities to cooperate fully with a proper police investigation in the matter.
“I therefore reserve more extensive comments on the situation to a more appropriate time. I remain committed to delivering on the mandate given by my membership to improve the lives of public servants around the country and to carry out my duties as committed without bias,” he added.
Duke, who walked into the police station accompanied by his lawyer, is accused by the 33-year-old unidentified lawyer of sexually assaulting her at the Hyatt Regency hotel on Tuesday.
The woman told police that she was taken to a room where she was expected to have been attending a meeting and sexually assaulted.
In his statement, Duke said that he will “defend my reputation as necessary and appropriate and would like to thank those who have reached out to help on this matter”.
