May 20, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

McDougal Recounts Arrest Over Unpaid Bill

A simple meal at a Belize City café turned into a national controversy after 57-year-old retired nurse Allaire McDougal was remanded to prison for being unable to pay a $48 bill. The incident, which occurred at Spoonaz Reggae Café, drew widespread backlash and prompted a public apology from the business.

“What I was charged with was intentionally trying to defraud a business. That sounds huge. It sounds like I was laundering money from some business, but it happened that I could not pay my twenty-four U.S. dollar bill,” McDougal told News Five. “But it happened that I could not pay my twenty-four U.S. dollar bill. It was good, oxtail and rice and beans, fry plantain, a blueberry cheese scone, and a Mackeson.”

Staff at Spoonaz say they attempted to resolve the situation after McDougal’s debit card was declined three times due to insufficient funds. But when no solution was found, they called police. McDougal was detained, held overnight, and charged with obtaining services by deception. Unable to post $500 bail, she was sent to Belize Central Prison.

“In Belize, sometimes the systems are down,” said McDougal, suggesting technical issues may have affected her card.

Public outrage erupted online, condemning the café’s handling of the case. Spoonaz responded, stating: “Our intention was never to criminalise hardship… This was clearly an incident that called for a greater degree of sensitivity and understanding.”

The café has since dropped all charges. McDougal is now free.

McDougal also addressed reports that she deliberately dines and dashes: “Let us just wait until all the investigation is done.” She says she receives monthly U.S. support but claims her funds often vanish mysteriously when dining out.

A CBS News report reveals that Allaire McDougal previously served time in the U.S. for attempting to drown her son, an incident linked to her mental health struggles. A relative has confirmed her diagnosis and says she is unwell.

Alleged Gang Member Speaks Out After SOE Court Victory

An alleged gang affiliate from Belize City’s southside is speaking out following a landmark High Court ruling that declared the detention of sixteen men under the 2020 State of Emergency (SOE) unconstitutional. The man, Hubert Baptist, spoke candidly to News Five about his experience and the broader impact of the ruling, which he believes is a wake-up call for authorities and the public alike.

The High Court, presided over by Justice Nadine Nabie, found that the claimants, many of whom were labeled as gang members, were detained without adequate legal grounds, in violation of their constitutional rights. The judge ruled that the men were denied their right to judicial review and due process, awarding each claimant compensation ranging from $12,000 to $25,000, plus an additional $7,000 in vindicatory damages.

Baptist, whose nephew Earl Baptist is among the claimants and was awarded $15,000, said that the police crackdown during the SOE unfairly targeted innocent residents. “Basically your door get broke down for nothing, your whole neighborhood get sabotaged for nothing,” he told News Five. “They put everybody in one bunch when certain people the do certain things.”

He described the fear and helplessness that comes when an SOE is declared. “Bway, I gwen dah jail, nothing else,” he said. “Nuh care if you get a lawyer—three, four lawyers—they sing to you that your rights get taken away… That is violation. They take away your liberty.”

“You just get grab… Before in 2020 you just go to piss house, they bring a paper to you, they say you are going up under state. They never had no interviews,” he recounted. “That is not right.”

According to Belize’s Constitution, anyone detained under a state of emergency is entitled to have their case reviewed by an independent tribunal, a safeguard that Justice Nabie said was entirely absent in this case.

Defense attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who represented the claimants, reiterated that constitutional rights apply to everyone, regardless of criminal suspicion. “Even though in some quarters a few of you have conducted yourself badly, you still have rights,” he said. “What is unlawful is unlawful.”

For Baptist, the court ruling is not just about financial compensation—it’s a call for justice and accountability. “That dah nuh wah victory for we, it is a victory for everybody,” he said. “The system have to do their job the right way. You can’t just grab deh bally and send them up. You have to put them before a tribunal.”

Family Court Driver Dies in Tragic Highway Accident

A longtime driver for the Belize Family Court, Raymond Belgrave, lost his life in a fatal traffic accident this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway in Orange Walk.

Belgrave, who was on official court duty, was driving a government-issued Foton pickup truck heading north when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The pickup flipped before crashing into a fence.

Belgrave is said to have been a dedicated public officer who had served the judiciary for many years.

Belize and EU Strengthen Ties in High-Level Dialogue

Belize and the European Union held a high-level Partnership Dialogue today in Belmopan, reaffirming their commitment to shared values and global cooperation.

Key discussions included ongoing development projects, green growth, border management, and investments through the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative. The EU also updated Belize on regional programs in climate, trade, and governance.

Belize expressed interest in a Schengen visa waiver and shared updates on regional integration and the ICJ case with Guatemala. The EU reaffirmed its support for peace-building in the Adjacency Zone.

The talks, co-chaired by Minister Francis Fonseca and EU Ambassador Erja Askola, aimed to deepen cooperation ahead of the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit in Colombia.

Spoonaz Drops Charges Against Retired Nurse After Public Backlash, Issues Apology

Spoonaz Reggae Café has officially dropped charges against a retired nurse who was recently remanded to prison after being unable to pay a $48 restaurant bill, a case that sparked widespread public outrage over the weekend.

In a statement issued a few minutes ago, the popular North Front Street café expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging that they were unaware of the woman’s mental health condition and that the situation called for “a greater degree of sensitivity and understanding”.

“Our intention was never to criminalise hardship,” Spoonaz said. “This was clearly an incident that could have happened at any business. We acknowledge the pain this has caused, particularly given her service to our country as a nurse.”

The woman, 46-year-old Idi McDougall, had been accused of “obtaining services by deception” after reportedly ordering food and drinks totalling $48.25 but failing to cover the bill due to insufficient funds on her card. After being unable to post bail, she was sent to the Belize Central Prison.

Spoonaz’s public apology followed mounting criticism from Belizeans on social media, many of whom argued the case lacked compassion and raised concerns about the criminalisation of vulnerable individuals, especially those with a history of service, like McDougall.

The restaurant admitted the decision to call law enforcement was “a moment of poor judgement” and said it has led to internal reflection. “We are listening, and we are learning,” the statement read.

However, the café also noted that this was not an isolated case. “This was not the first time this individual and others have entered our space, received full service, and left without the means to pay. As a small business, we have a responsibility to protect our staff and resources,” the statement continued.

“Your outrage and input have not fallen on deaf ears. It has challenged us, humbled us, and pushed us to do better.”

McDougall is now expected to be released from custody following the formal withdrawal of charges. Her next court date, originally set for July 8, is likely to be vacated.

Retired Nurse Jailed Over $48 Meal, Charges to Be Dropped

A retired Belize City nurse who was briefly remanded to prison for allegedly failing to pay a $48 restaurant bill may soon be released, as the business at the centre of the case reportedly plans to drop the charges following widespread public backlash.

Idi McDougall, 46, was charged with obtaining services by deception after dining at Spoonaz Restaurant and Bar on North Front Street on Saturday.

According to the initial police report, McDougall ordered an oxtail meal, a Sprite, a blueberry scone, and a Mackeson chocolate, totalling $48.25. When she attempted to pay, her debit card was repeatedly declined due to insufficient funds.

McDougall was arrested the following day and brought before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where she appeared visibly confused about the charge. She explained that she had not intended to deceive anyone and believed there was enough money on her card at the time of the transaction.

Despite being granted bail in the sum of $500, McDougall was unable to secure a surety and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

However, by Monday evening, reports emerged that Spoonaz Restaurant intends to withdraw the complaint against McDougall. The decision follows a wave of public criticism on social media and in the press, with many Belizeans calling the arrest excessive.

If the complaint is officially withdrawn, the charges could be dropped as early as this week. Until then, McDougall remains in custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 8, 2025.

Commissioners Disown Final Constitution Report

A group of former commissioners from the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) have publicly dissociated themselves from the final report submitted to Prime Minister John Briceño. The group cites serious “procedural mismanagement of the process and violations”, “adherence with the consensus principle that does not exist in the law”, “inconsistent record keeping” and “bad faith management of the recommendation report.”

In a strongly worded letter dated May 19, 2025, and addressed to the Prime Minister, the commissioners expressed deep concern over what they described as a “bad faith” process led by PCC Chairman Anthony Chanona. The letter follows a previous communication on April 30, in which six commissioners had already raised alarms about procedural mismanagement and violations of the PCC Act.

The commissioners allege that:

The final report was never approved by a majority of the PCC.

They were not given access to the full report, only a visual presentation during a May 14 meeting.

Their written submissions and feedback were excluded from the final recommendations.

The process was dominated by a Technical Committee that included a former commissioner who was no longer legally eligible to serve.

“The recommendations now submitted fail to uphold the principles enshrined in the PCC Act,” the letter states.

Despite early successes in public engagement and education, the commissioners say the PCC struggled with direction and failed to maintain transparency and inclusivity in its final stages. They argue that the final report does not reflect the will of the people or the deliberations of the full commission.

The signatories, representing a diverse cross-section of Belizean civil society including the National Women’s Commission, the Belize National Teachers’ Union, the LGBT Substantive, and the Maya Councils have requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister before the end of May to further explain their objections.

Pope Leo Confirms Stance on Gay Marriage and Abortion

In his inaugural address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps on Friday, newly elected Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s traditional teachings on marriage and abortion. He said that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman” and stressed the inherent dignity of both the unborn and the elderly as creations of God.

The address, a formal protocol following a papal election, marked Pope Leo’s first official engagement with representatives from the nearly 200 nations with which the Holy See maintains diplomatic ties. He also underscored the importance of international cooperation and highlighted interfaith dialogue as a vital tool for achieving global peace.

The Pope’s official installation Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18. A member of the Augustinian religious order, Leo has consistently prioritised peace since his election, greeting the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the words: “Peace be with you all.”

On the role of women in the Church, Pope Leo’s past actions reflect both progress and tradition. While serving under Pope Francis, he helped implement reforms allowing women to participate in bishop-nomination reviews. However, he has maintained that women cannot be ordained as priests and has offered limited clarity on their future roles in Church ministry.

“Aggressive” Horses Roaming in Benque

The Benque Viejo Town Council is urging pet and livestock owners to take immediate responsibility for their animals following reports of stray horses wandering through town and behaving aggressively.

In a public advisory issued this week, the Council reminded residents to keep horses, dogs, and other animals properly tied or fenced in, emphasizing the importance of public safety.

“We’re seeing more and more cases of stray animals especially horses causing problems around town,” the council said. “When we try to step in, there’s often public outcry. But the same people rarely come forward to actually help or claim the animals.”

According to the council, some of the loose animals have been hit and killed by vehicles, and when no one claims them, the Town Council is left to deal with the aftermath.

“This can’t keep happening,” the Council added. “We’re asking everyone to do their part. Secure your animals. Be responsible.”

UK, France, and Canada Warn Israel to Halt Gaza Offensive or Face Action

The leaders of the UK, France, and Canada have jointly warned Israel to stop its renewed military offensive in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid or face “further concrete actions.”

In a statement on Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel’s military actions as “wholly disproportionate,” describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “intolerable.”

They criticised the Israeli government’s restrictions on aid and its “denial of essential humanitarian assistance,” calling it potentially a breach of international humanitarian law. The leaders also condemned inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli officials and said they “will not stand by” while the situation worsens.

The statement followed a limited aid delivery to Gaza—nine trucks authorized after an 11-week blockade. The UN called it a “drop in the ocean” compared to the daily need of at least 500 trucks.

Amid ongoing airstrikes, Gaza’s health ministry reported 136 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to more than 53,000 since the war began.

The UK, France, and Canada urged Israel to end the military offensive, allow full aid access, and stop settlement expansions in the West Bank. They expressed support for efforts to reach a ceasefire and pledged to work toward recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.