Scottish boy holding up in prison

A SCOTTISH schoolboy held in prison after being charged with the rape of a teenage girl in Protaras was yesterday in good psychological condition, prison officials confirmed.

James Henderson, 15, was arrested in July for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old British girl and will remain in the open prison ward at the Central Prisons until his trial date on October 14, said Prison Warden Panicos Kyriakou. If convicted he could face a sentence of around seven to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Despite Justice Ministry efforts and local human right groups demands that James be moved to a rented flat where he could be detained until his trial, he has remained in the open prison where his father, Joseph, frequently visits him. He was not released on bail because his parents could not afford the £10,000 bail.

Kyriakou said: “He has his own room, TV and all facilities necessary to ensure he’s kept comfortable. The open prison is like a three-star hotel, with a good kitchen and his father visits him whenever and as often as he wants. They even have a special room to meet.”
According to the prison warden, James was a quiet boy and caused no problems.

“The guards are very sensitive and watch out for him. He is under constant supervision. Our psychologist meets with him on a regular basis for support, and he is said to be in good psychological condition.”

The teenager spends his days talking to a few of the other prisoners or watching TV. He was not being badly influenced or mixing with hardened criminals as had previously been feared, said Kyriakou.

No one at the Justice Ministry could yesterday be reached for comment.

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