ST CATHERINE, Jamaica— The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed on Tuesday that a 39-year-old Kenyan Roman Catholic priest has been charged with four counts of sexual offences following accusations that he abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl at his church premises in St Catherine.

READ: Priest expected to be charged with rape, abduction of 12-y-o girl

The charges include sexual Intercourse with a person under 16 years, sexual touching of a child, grievous sexual assault, and abduction of a child fewer than 16 years.

The offences were allegedly committed on the afternoon of Sunday, March 19, 2023, but were only reported to authorities on Saturday, June 23, 2023.

Reports are that the priest befriended the child— a 12-year-old primary school student— and lured her to his home on the premises of a Roman Catholic Church in Portmore, St Catherine where he allegedly assaulted her.

The charges were filed after the man was positively identified by the child during an identification parade and a question-and-answer interview with his attorney.

While reiterating its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of sexual offences, the JCF urged anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward.