ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) — A construction worker who sent nude photos to an underage male through social media remained in custody on Tuesday even though a magistrate offered him EC$20,000 (US$7,400) bail on Monday.

Sheldon Alexander was arrested last weekend and appeared at the Gouyave Magistrate’s Court on Monday to answer the offence of child pornography by unlawfully inducing a child to an online relationship for a sexually explicit act. He will return to court on January 21 next year.

Police say he was charged under Section 12 Subsection 2 (3) of the Electronic Crimes Act which states that “a person shall not knowingly and without lawful justification or excuse cultivate, entice or induce children to an online relationship with another child or an adult for a sexually explicit act or in a manner that may offend a reasonable adult on the electronic system.”

The legislation defines a child as a person who is under the age of 18 and anyone convicted on indictment is liable to be fined EC$200,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to both.

It said in the event of second or subsequent conviction, the person faces a fine not exceeding EC$300,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or to both.

The head the Special Victims Unit, Andrea Noel-Victor, said that Alexander is one of 12 people arrested and charged since the Unit was launched in September this year.