7 News Belize

Bert V Guilty of another Sex Offence
posted (November 7, 2018)
Guilty of attempted rape! That's what a jury of 5 women and 4 men told Bert Vasquez this evening in the Supreme Court. The 35 year old is already serving a 10 year prison sentence for forcible abduction and indecent assault of a 16 year old.

In this case, the accuser who was 20 at the time - says that in January of 2011, Vasquez took her to the Belama Phase 4 area against her will and attempted to rape her. She testified that he forced her - at knifepoint - to take off her clothing.

Vasquez defended himself - and denied he committed the offenses. He said that he and the accuser had a familiar relationship - and he had been with her the day before. But, on the day in question, he claims he was not with the her. The Crown was represented by Crown Counsel Killeru Awich.

And while he seems to have convinced the jury that there was no abduction - they weren't convinced on the attempted rape. Crown Council Kileru Awich prosecuted the case and told the press more:..

Killeru Awich, Crown Council
"He was charged with two counts: forcible abduction and attempted rape. The case concluded today, the judge summed up the case to the jury just after 12 and the jury returned just after 4. They found him not guilty of forcible abduction- a majority verdict- and unanimously guilty on attempted rape. Well, it was basically the account of the virtual complainant. She is the one who was the main evidence against Bert Vasquez. She was the only one in his company and she was the only who could speak about the facts of what happened on that day- 25th January 2011. Mr. Vasquez was unrepresented and the court was trying to give him as much time to prepare his mitigation. Court initially wanted December 5th but Mr. Vasquez wanted a sooner date and he asked for the 28th of this month. So, 28th of this month will be mitigation and then a sentence might either be passed on that day or on the date after that."

We'll tell you what will come out of the sentencing from Justice Colin Williams later this month.

It's the second time that a jury has found Vasquez guilty of an act of sexual violence. In 2017, a jury of 9 found him guilty of kidnapping a 16 year-old girl, and then driving her to Ladyville, where he assaulted her, and forced her to perform sexual acts on him at gunpoint.

The judge sentenced him to 10 years in jail for forcible abduction and aggravated assault of an indecent nature.

Vasquez still has a murder trial pending for the death of Jasmine Lowe.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize