Tonight, a young man is spending his third night behind bars after being sentenced to three months for burglary. Jaheem Young, a twenty-three-year-old boat repairer from Saint Joseph Street, Belize City, appeared in court this morning. He pleaded guilty to breaking into his cousin’s home on Freetown Road and stealing a white speaker valued at two hundred and fifty dollars on December twenty-second, 2024. Young, who was unrepresented, faced two charges, but the second charge of sexual assault wasn’t read as the court awaits further instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Despite his guilty plea for burglary, Young showed no remorse, which the prosecutor highlighted, especially since the victim was his own cousin. The prosecutor pushed for a minimum seven-year sentence, but Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola considered that this was Young’s first conviction for a crime of dishonesty or violence. She opted for a three-month sentence instead. Young also had two outstanding fines from previous convictions—one for drug possession and another for a traffic offense. These fines will run concurrently with his three-month sentence, allowing him to clear his record by the time he is released in 2025. The sexual assault charge has been adjourned to January twenty-ninth, 2025, pending further directives from the D.P.P.
Category: Belize District
Industrial Engineer Spared Prison Time After Pulling Out Gun in Public
Tonight, an industrial engineer is lucky to be home for the holidays instead of behind bars. Sigfrido Ernesto Diaz Trigueros, a 34-year-old Salvadoran national, was accused of pulling his licensed 9 mm pistol on a bus conductor at the Michael Finnegan Market in broad daylight. After spending a night in police custody, Trigueros saw the charge of aggravated assault with a firearm dropped. This morning, Trigueros appeared in court unrepresented. The bus conductor, Bryton Morrio, took the stand and requested no further court action against Trigueros. Morrio explained that they had reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court, with Trigueros compensating him for the damage to the bus. The prosecutor confirmed that Morrio was acting of his own free will and not under pressure. With no further evidence, the Chief Magistrate dismissed the charge, and Trigueros was free to go. The incident occurred on December 23, 2024, when Morrio reported that Trigueros had pointed a gun at him and threatened to shoot him. Morrio had initially reported the incident to the police, leading to Trigueros’ arrest. However, with the matter now settled, Trigueros can spend Christmas with his loved ones.
Fire Leaves Family Homeless, Victim Appeals for Help
A fire has left Steve Miles, a retired malaria and dengue evaluator, and his family homeless after their home was destroyed while they were away. The blaze, which consumed the structure and all their belongings, has left the family urgently seeking help to rebuild their lives.
The fire broke out before noon today on Dougal Street in Belize City.
Miles explained that he, his wife, and grandson were not home when the fire started. He was alerted via telephone by several neighbours. He first thought it was the smoke from a fog machine that was being used around his house against mosquitos.
“When I came up Raccoon Street, I saw the smoke,” he recalled. “I said, well, that’s not right—that’s my house. When we reached here, the house was up in flames.”
According to Miles, the fogging machine might have been the cause of the fire. He speculated that the machine may have left behind embers that sparked the blaze.
Efforts to extinguish the fire were reportedly hampered when the first fire truck on the scene ran out of water, allowing the flames to spread further. Miles stated, “The fire engine made it out, but apparently it looked like the first fire truck ran out of water.”
The fire left the family with nothing.
Having lived at the location for over two decades, Miles estimated the loss of his home and belongings at around $100,000. He is now appealing for assistance to help him and his family recover.
“We don’t save anything,” Miles said. “If anybody could help me with clothes, food, or donations, I’d appreciate it. We’re trying to get back on our feet.” Miles, his wife Marilyn, and their grandson are temporarily staying with a family member but have no furniture or basic necessities.
“We’ve lost everything, but I hope we can rebuild. With help, I know we can have a shelter again.”
Anyone willing to assist can contact Miles at 615-6068 or 626-0645.
ComPol and Port Area Representative Connect with Local Residents
The Community Policing Unit has maintained a steady presence in various neighborhoods of Belize City, and on some occasions, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams participates in meet-and-greet sessions. This Wednesday, Williams was accompanied by Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher for a tour of the area, where they engaged with residents on Caesar Ridge Road. Both officials expressed their desire to listen to the concerns of the community.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Normally I come on this meet and greet because people will say things to us, some concerns that we cannot address that the political representative in the area could address, so Mr. Usher is here to ensure that those issues that relate to his office, that he can hear from the people and see what he can do to address those issues.”
Marion Ali
“What are some of those issues?”
Gilroy Usher, Area Representative, Port Loyola
“Well, one of the issues is crime, but it’s very minimal right now compared to previous years. And so the whole purpose of this meet and greet is to assure the citizens that the police is here to cooperate with them to combat crime in every possible way and also to persuade the young people to take advantage of the many benefits of the L.I.U program to earn a honest living and also learn life skills so that they are they are more it is more easily for them to find employment in the wider community.”
Child Drowns in City Canal
The body of 6-year-old King Shakel Wade was fished out of the canal near Fairweather Street in Belize City late yesterday evening.
He disappeared from outside his babysitter’s home while she attended to other children. After an hour-long search, his slippers were found floating in the canal. The Belize Coast Guard recovered his body, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. King-Shakel was pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Police are investigating.
George Oshon Found Safe
Police have confirmed that Hattieville Village resident George Oshon has been found safe. The 82-year-old was reported missing on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. He was last seen walking near J Mall on the George Price Highway, dressed in a long-sleeve camouflage jacket and long green trousers.
Murder in Belize City
Belize City police are investigating the murder of 35-year-old Floyd Hyde. Hyde was found lying motionless in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds last night near Reggae Street.
His body was found by a family member. According to police, Hyde had left home around 7 p.m. to go to the store. About 15 minutes later, his common-law wife heard a commotion in the yard and called 911.
Police are investigating.
Bullying Incident Leaves SJC Student Injured
A bullying incident at St. John’s College High School has left a student with a broken hip and requiring emergency surgery. Niall Alvarado brought up the issue on Facebook, saying that the victim is his brother Dominick Alvarado, an honour student at SJC.
Niall said that Dominick’s life-altering injuries, emotional trauma, and financial toll on his family are the result of the serious effects of bullying. “The implications of such acts extend beyond immediate physical harm; they encompass emotional trauma, academic disruption, and financial strain on families,” he said.
According to Niall, Dominick’s experience and need for emergency surgery and recovery have hindered his performance in school. He said, “In the case of Dominick, the administration’s failure to adequately respond not only failed him but also sent a chilling message to other students about the efficacy of reporting bullying incidents.”
“The Ministry of Education and the Board of Directors at St. John’s College High School must conduct a thorough investigation into the bullying incidents,” Niall said. He pointed out that the investigations should include policies and practices that relate to bullying in the school.
Number of Stray Dogs in Belize City on the Rise?
The Belize City Animal Aid is calling on the public to help with the overwhelming number of stray animals in Belize City that are in need of care. “It’s literally been case after case after case. We need more people to step up and help. Please,” said animal rescuer Michelle Rudon.
Taking it to social media, Rudon shared recently rescuing a dog named Buttercup. “Our adventure for tonight… getting this girl out from under the wet, muddy drain where she went, probably to die,” Rudon recounted.
Buttercup was taken to the Animal Medical Centre, where she received a diagnosis of heartworms, tick fever, and an infected mammary tumour, along with severe anaemia and underweight conditions.
The organisation emphasised the pressing need for more foster homes, stating, “It takes a village; everyone, and our SPARK villagers are overwhelmed and completely exhausted.”
Israel Declares UN Sec. Gen. Persona Non Grata
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Wednesday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been denied entry into the country. This decision follows what Israel says is Guterres’s failure to “unequivocally” condemn Iran’s missile attacks on Israel.
On Tuesday, Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which breached its defences. Guterres condemned the widening conflict but did not specifically denounce Iran’s actions.
Katz stated, “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” declaring Guterres “persona non grata.”
Katz affirmed that Israel will defend its citizens “with or without” Guterres.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran for its missile attack on Israel, which he called a “big mistake.”
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticised the move as counterproductive to Israel’s global standing. Meanwhile, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the ban as a political manoeuvre and noted that the UN does not recognise the concept of persona non grata for its officials.
During a Security Council meeting, Guterres reiterated his condemnation of the Iranian attack and called for an end to the “deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence” in the Middle East. He also criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza as “the most deadly and destructive” during his tenure.