BELIZE CITY, Fri. Feb 19, 2016–A 27-year-old man who allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 9-year-old girl will be tried in the Supreme Court when he is indicted on a charge of carnal knowledge. That is the result of a preliminary inquiry which concluded before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, who ruled today that Daniel Rios has a prima facie case to answer to in the April Session of the court.

Rios, a resident of 276 Star Fish Crescent, Belama Phase 1, is accused of having sex with the child in April of 2015.

The prosecution is basing its case against Rios on statements given by nine persons, including the child and her mother.

Rios, who has been denied bail since he was arraigned on the charge, remains on remand on the Belize Central Prison.

The preliminary inquiry was a paper committal which included all the statements that police had taken on the allegation against Rios, who was unrepresented at the hearing.