Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

The absence of a handwriting certificate has resulted in a police sergeant being remanded on carnal abuse charges in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. A warrant was also issued for the investigating officer.

Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green ordered that Ian Bennett, the police sergeant, be remanded until April 12, the date on which the RM said the documentation should be ready for the case to proceed.

Attorney-at-Law Peter Champagnie told the court that, although his client was caught at the airport, he was not aware there was an investigation against him.

It was revealed that, in July last year, the accused met the 14-year-old complainant along Hanover Street in Kingston.

He reportedly took her to Portmore where they had sex.

The mother of the complainant gained knowledge of the relationship after viewing certain written documents.

She contacted the police and a file was prepared and sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which ruled that Bennett be charged.

It was also revealed that Bennett was caught leaving the island in February. He has been in custody since.