Posted: Friday, August 8, 2025. 2:34 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Forty-year-old Leon Yorke, a maintenance worker formerly employed at the Princess Hotel & Casino, is a free man after serious criminal charges against him were dismissed in court today on Wednesday after none of the alleged victims appeared to testify.
Yorke, who had been accused of firing a gun at several of his family members during a heated dispute in August 2024, appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers in Court #1. Prosecutors informed the court that the complainants, which included Yorke’s sister, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews; failed to show up for the scheduled trial.
With no witnesses present, the Chief Magistrate struck out the case, dismissing all charges, which included five counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and discharging a firearm in public.
The charges stemmed from a reported incident on August 23, 2024, in which Yorke allegedly returned to his family home on Berry Street with a firearm after an argument and fired multiple shots in the direction of his sister, her three children, and a family friend. Police found ten expended shells at the scene, but no one was injured.
Yorke had consistently maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty at his arraignment in 2024. Speaking outside the courtroom, a visibly relieved Yorke expressed gratitude and shared a message of peace:
“I’m happy and glad to be free. The allegations were false. Now I can get back my job and live my life.”
In a brief on-camera message to his family, Yorke added: “What uno accused me of, nuh worry about nothing. Hold yuh head up. I still love uno.”
With the case now dismissed, Yorke walks away from what could have been a major legal battle, ready to move forward.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
Comments
More Belize News:
The post Man accused of shooting at family members walks free after relatives fail to testify appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, August 8, 2025. 2:34 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Forty-year-old Leon Yorke, a maintenance worker formerly employed at the Princess Hotel &
The post Man accused of shooting at family members walks free after relatives fail to testify appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
