BELMOPAN, Fri. Nov. 10, 2017–A Roaring Creek man whom police reportedly caught in the act of raping a woman was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after a single count of rape was read to him in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court today.

Justin Williams, 29, did not have to enter a plea when he appeared before the Belmopan Magistrate this afternoon, because the offense of rape is an indictable offence and will be tried in the Belmopan Session of the Supreme Court if it is determined, after a preliminary inquiry is held, that there is a prima facie case against him to commit his case for trial at the high court.

Under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, rape is one of the offences for which magistrates are not allowed to grant bail. Williams will have to apply to the Supreme Court if he wants to be released on bail before the expiration of the mandatory 90-day remand period.

The incident allegedly occurred around 1:00 o’clock this morning. The victim, who is in her twenties, has made a formal report to the police. She was walking in the area of Cohune Walk, which is near the Roaring Creek junction, when she was attacked.

Belmopan police reported that they caught Williams in the act and apprehended him. Williams appeared in court with abrasions over his nose and a swelling under his right eye. He also had a bandage around his head.

The officer commanding the Belmopan formation, Superintendent Howell Gillett, reported in the police’s WhatsApp media group that Williams sustained the injuries when police were apprehending him.

Gillett said that Williams’ photograph will be circulated to all police formations to determine if he is wanted elsewhere. Williams is scheduled to return to court on January 12, 2018.