Last week, police said that a previously convicted thief, Rudolph “Tuba” Smith, 35, of Hattieville, Belize District, was wanted by the CIB, Belize City, for a rape investigation. We understand that Smith had recently been released from prison on bail for attempted rape.
Almost a week after releasing Smith’s mug shot, he appeared yesterday in the Magistrate’s Court, after he was captured by police over the weekend, to answer to charges of rape and aggravated burglary, for allegedly entering the house of a girl, 15, and then raping her. The incident allegedly occurred some two weeks ago.
Smith was denied bailbecause of the seriousness of the offences, the age of the girl, and on the grounds that he has pending trials. The objection was upheld, and Smith was thereafter remanded to prison until December 28.
The girl told police she was sleeping in her room when Smith, who entered the house as a trespasser, put a knife to her throat. Smith then forced the child to remain silent and threatened to hurt her siblings if she did not obey him.
Smith then raped the girl.
Earlier this year, Smith had been remanded to prison for allegedly attacking two females, a fifteen-year-old and a twenty-eight-year-old woman in July of this year.
When he had appeared in court, Smith was read two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated assault and one count of wounding.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, but was subsequently denied bail when the court prosecutor objected on the grounds that the offences are of a serious nature and that the alleged victim was a minor. The objection was upheld and Smith was remanded to prison.
The 28-year-old woman told police that Smith had entered the house when she had gone to use the outdoor toilet. He then, armed with a knife attacked her and forced her into her bedroom. He threw her on the bed, took off her underwear and attempted to rape her, but she put up a fight.
During the fight, the young woman suffered cuts to her hands, but manage to grab his testicles. She managed to run out and then looked for help.
It was while on bail for the attacks of these two females that he allegedly struck again, attacking his most recent victim, 15, some two weeks ago, for which he was charged with rape yesterday.