A Belize City man, 49, was found guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a 12-year-old girl today and was sentenced to three years in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith.

George Dakers, a construction worker and resident of Freedom Street, was accused of indecently assaulting the girl in May, 2013.

Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith heard an in camera testimony from the victim, who is still12.

According to the child, on May 11, 2013, her mother sent her to the house of a neighbor to borrow an iron. It was while at the home of her mother’s friend that the child met Dakers, who was also visiting the house.

According to the child, as she was leaving the house, Dakers touched her on her buttocks.

The trial lasted a little more than one hour before Dakers was found guilty. While he admitted to knowing the child, he denied touching her.

But the Chief Magistrate told Dakers that the child had testified that it was he who had assaulted her.

This is Dakers’ first offense for this type of crime, and when he heard the sentence, a look of shock came over his face.

Inspector Carol Tucker, who prosecuted the case, called two witnesses, the child and the investigating officer.

Dakers was unrepresented by an attorney.