Man Arrested After 6 Victims Identified in Decade-Long Abuse Case

A 57-year-old car dealership employee has been remanded in custody following his arrest on Monday in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of at least six children over a ten-year period.

Percy Duval, a resident of Tamarin, faces six provisional charges of causing a child to be sexually abused.

During police questioning at the Rivière-Noire station, the suspect exercised his right to silence, stating only: “I have nothing to say.”

Methodical Operation Alleged

Investigations into the decade of alleged abuse suggest a calculated “modus operandi” involving the suspect’s own home.

l’Express sources close to the inquiry claim Duval used his daughter to invite young friends for sleepovers.

It is alleged the suspect would retire early, only to wake in the early hours to enter the children’s room and expose them to sexually explicit photos and videos.

Another victim was reportedly bribed to stay overnight after attending piano lessons with a relative of the suspect.

Victims Come Forward

The age of the victims at the time of the alleged offences highlights the gravity of the case:

• One child was aged just four-and-a-half.
• Two others were aged eight and nine respectively.
• A fourth victim is alleged to have suffered abuse over a four-year duration.

Chief Police Medical Officer Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin confirmed six victims have been identified so far—three of whom are still minors, while three have since reached adulthood.

Formal identification parades were held on Tuesday, 14 April, where the victims identified Duval as their aggressor.

Medical examinations are expected to conclude by Friday, 17 April, with formal reports due next week.

Calls for Justice

The victims are currently being represented by Me Deveena Joyram, of Me Siddharta Hawoldar’s chambers.

Virginie Bissessur, president of the charity Pedostop, praised the victims for their courage, noting that public opinion is shifting to place shame on the aggressor rather than the survivors.

“Predators are very often repeat offenders,” Ms Bissessur said, urging the Rivière-Noire police to handle the case with the utmost seriousness.

She warned that abusers often “test the limits” of children, mistaking a lack of reaction for consent, and reminded the public that no child under 16 can legally consent.

Pedostop has offered legal and psychological support to the survivors, as investigators believe further victims may come forward following these initial denunciations.

Source: l’Express