The Tribune

THE WOMAN who was gang raped in Bimini over the weekend was “drugged by her attackers” after going with them to a night club, The Tribune understands.

According to sources, the victim, went out with a cousin to a local bar where they met two men. They later left the bar and went to the Big John club, where they met an another four men. At about 1:45am, she and her cousin, left with the men for another club, where one of the men gave her a drink and about 20 minutes later she felt sick and started to throw up before she “blacked out”.

The men then, allegedly took her to their home, where it was claimed that four of them raped her. The victim called the police and went to the local clinic, however her injuries were so severe that she was airlifted to the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport for treatment.

Police later arrested eight men, all construction workers – a 28-year-old man from Long Island and seven men from New Providence ages 39, 31,21, 20, 26, 18 and 20.

The Tribune understands the men were flown into Freeport for questioning.

A resident on the island has insisted that Biminites are growing impatient with the lack of urgency that authorities seem to have put on the situation. They said it is only a matter of days before angry residents “deal with” the persons who they believe are responsible.

In a statement from officials at Resorts World Bimini, it was admitted that an incident took place, but no details were confirmed.

“Resorts World Bimini,” the statement explained, “is aware that alleged illegal activities may have occurred involving non-Biminite Bahamian nationals who were contracted as construction workers.

“The incident took place in non-public areas of the resort and no employee or guests of Resorts World Bimini were involved. We are fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.”

A statement from the police, sent on Monday said: “Police in Bimini are investigating two sexual assault incidents. The first incident occurred at around 1:45 am on Sunday, February 2, 2014. A female resident of North Bimini reported that she was sexually assaulted by several males at their residence without her consent.

“Police have in custody seven male suspects in connection with this matter.

“The second incident occurred on Sunday, 2, February around 5:10 pm. A female employee, while at work at a local resort in Bimini, reported that she was sexually assaulted by a male visitor at that resort.

“Police have in custody and are questioning a male visitor in connection with this matter.”