A POLICE officer and a security guard accused of abducting, raping and attempting to kill an 18-year-old Venezuelan woman in 2020 have been cleared of the charges after a High Court master found there was insufficient evidence to have them face trial.

Special Reserve PC Akini Rodriguez, 26, of Dibe, Long Circular, St James, and Aaron Ramkisoon, 20, of Waterhole, Cocorite, were discharged earlier this month at the conclusion of a sufficiency hearing before Master Kimitria Gray.

In delivering her ruling, Master Gray held that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the matter proceeding to trial before a High Court judge and jury, or by judge alone.