BELIZE CITY, Wed. Nov. 8, 2023

A teacher who reportedly provides instruction in swimming is being accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student, and tonight he finds himself behind bars.

He is 44-year-old Melvin Edwin Armstrong, a resident of #150 Antelope Street, Belize City.

The well-known teacher appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #6 this afternoon, where he was read a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

The allegations being made against the teacher stem from a report made by a female student, age 14 years 6 months.

The minor told police that on August 12, 2023, more than 2 months ago, Armstrong had sexual intercourse with her.

In court, the Senior Magistrate explained to Armstrong that due to the nature of the offense, which is being dealt with on indictment, no plea would be taken from him at that level, and that she was just there to read him the charge and ensure that he understood the charge against him before the court.

When asked if he understood the charge read to him, Armstrong sighed and seemed uncertain about the proceedings, and told the Senior Magistrate that he had many questions.

However, she told him that the only concerns she could address for him would be those related to whether he understood the court proceedings as explained by her, and she then noted, regarding any concerns he might have had about anything related to the case before the court, that she could not speak to him about such case-related matters.

She also explained to him that the court could not grant him bail at that time, and that to secure bail he will need to get assistance from an attorney to apply for bail on his behalf at the High Court.

Due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied to Armstrong and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until January 8, 2024.

Armstrong is reportedly a swimming teacher who works at the YWCA on Saint Thomas Street.