A St. Mary couple has been slapped with several charges in relation to the sexual assault and unlawful detention of a teen girl, who was babysitting their child, in Bailey’s Vale District, two years ago.

Charged are 32-year-old Barber Antony Berry, otherwise called ‘Zeeks’, and 26-year-old Cosmetologist Tamara Downer, also known as ‘Mummy’, both of Bailey’s Vale.

Reports from the Port Maria police are that in June 2023, with her guardian’s permission, the teenager visited Berry and Downer’s house to babysit their baby.

The couple reportedly held the girl at the house against her will for days, where Berry allegedly sexually assaulted her several times.

It is alleged that whilst Berry committed the act, Downer walked into the room. However, she did not intervene but rather encouraged Berry to continue his actions.

It is further alleged that on the third day of the girl’s detention, Downer fed her food, after which she lost consciousness.

The girl reported that she woke up on a beach in another parish and contacted her mother afterwards.

A report was made to the police, and an investigation was launched into the matter.

Berry and Downer were taken into custody during an operation on Tuesday, June 01, where they were subsequently charged.