For one year he has been working as a caregiver for boys at the Liberty Children’s
Home in Ladyville Village but for the next two years forty year old Herbert
Stuart will be spending time behind bars inside the Belize Central Prison. That
is because today the former caregiver was sentenced after he was found guilty
of aggravated assault of an indecent nature on one of the young female residents
at the children home.
And justice came swiftly as court reports are that two days ago, the fourteen
year old girl was in the library watching television. Seated next to her was
Herbert Stuart. According to the minor, Stuart started fondling her private
parts. The brave young teenager angrily protested and ran to complain to the
Director of Liberty Foundation.
The director Delfina Mitchell who appeared in court testified and corroborated
the victim’s testament. The girl’s story was also supported by another
care giver including the police constable who arrested Herbert Stuart. The matter
was heard before Senior Magistrate Dorothy Flowers. Throughout the hearing Herbert
Stuart remained silent.
Today, when 7News called Liberty Foundation its director Delfina Mitchell says
the quick arrest and conviction demonstrate that they have a sound system in
place to swiftly deal with any such cases that it does not continue. It was
the first for the children’s home. According to Delfina Mitchell anyone
they hire must present a police record and go through a two week orientation
but somehow Herbert Stuart slipped through the system because as we were made
to understand Herbert Stuart did fulfil both requirements before he was employed.