A 51-year old teacher is presently remanded at the Belize Central Prison after he was accused of sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

The child, accompanied by her mother, went to the Belama Precinct Four last Wednesday, January 8, to make the report. The 12-year-old minor reported to police that while she was living with her mother, her stepfather, 51, who is a schoolteacher, sexually assaulted her.

Police investigated the matter and on Saturday, January 11, the schoolteacher was arrested and charged with seven criminal offenses, including carnal knowledge and aggravated assault of an indecent nature.

The sexual acts reportedly started in 2008 when the child was seven years old, and continued until 2012 when she was 11.

Yesterday, the teacher was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. The most recent offense reportedly occurred on November 19, 2012. The girl has been examined by a doctor who certified that she was carnally known, and her injuries were classified as grievous harm.

The stepfather was charged with 5 counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature, and 2 counts of carnal knowledge.

He was arraigned on Monday before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Bail was denied, and he was remanded to prison until February 13, 2014, when he is scheduled to reappear in court.