A 23-year-old New Providence man appeared in a magistrate’s court on Friday to be formally charged with rape.

His alleged victim was his 52-year-old mother.

The man, clad in a black shirt and khaki pants looked Acting Chief Magistrate Joyann Pratt-Ferguson directly in the eyes the entire time his charges were being read.

According to reports, the incident took place on Tuesday, August 6th.

The young man was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

Magistrate Pratt-Ferguson said he would be remanded to Her Majesty’s Prisons (HMP).

However, his attorney Glendon Rolle asked that he be sent to Sandilands Rehabilitation Center for a psychiatric evaluation.

When asked on what grounds the request was being made, the attorney said he could not say considering the media was in the courtroom.

With that, the magistrate repeated that the accused be remanded to prison; however, she did order that a physician be sent there to see him.

After that, it would be determined whether he would need to see a psychiatrist.

Bail was denied based on the severity of the charge.

The alleged rapist is scheduled to return to court on November 8, at which time he will be served a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The name of the accused is being withheld to protect his alleged victim.