By: Staff Writer
August 11, 2023
A Bahamian legislator was forced to resign as a parliamentary secretary because of being formally charged in the courts for sexual assault.
Kirk Cornish, Member of Parliament for the North Abaco constituency and former parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of rape, as well as assault and threats of death.
Prosecutors allege that Cornish raped a woman at knifepoint on March 25 in New Providence. They also allege that he sexually assaulted the same woman at her Cooper’s Town, Abaco, residence on April 4.
Cornish was granted $9,000 bail by Justice Gregory Hilton after an emergency bail application at the Supreme Court. He is required to sign in once a week in Abaco under the terms of his bail conditions.
In a statement upon being charged, Cornish said: “I am fully confident that the facts which emerge during the judicial process will prove my innocence…
“I look forward to ending this nightmare. The facts will show that this was a break-up that was manipulated and exploited for political reasons and nothing more. The truth will set me free.”
His statement continued, “I want to assure the people of North Abaco that efforts to build opportunities and relief in your communities are on the way and will face no interruptions,” he said.
“An independent director of public prosecutions has determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring charges. It is now up to our judicial system to resolve the outcome, so I will not be providing additional comment except to say that my prayers are extended to all who are suffering because of this matter.”
Sources who have knowledge of the case said that the plaintiff is a former girlfriend of Cornish and was at the time of the assaults. Her first complaints to the police we made on April 7 and during this time the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cordell Frazer, were mulling if whether Cornish should be charged.
It is also said that Cornish and some of his supporters were trying to smooth the matter over before it came to this. But, the plaintiff, whose name is being withheld for safety concerns, would have none of it as she stood steadfast in her pursuit of justice on her alleged sex attack.
Cornish can serve up to life imprisonment if convicted of the charges.