Posted: Monday, October 27, 2025. 6:53 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 51-year-old man, Hildo Pech, is once again behind bars as he awaits the outcome of his appeal before the Court of Appeal, hoping to overturn or reduce the lengthy prison sentence imposed on him for the rape and sexual assault of a little girl.
Pech was convicted on June 26, 2024, of two counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault upon a child who was only nine years old at the time of the offenses. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months for rape and five years and six months for sexual assault, with both sentences ordered to run concurrently.
During the appeal hearing last Tuesday, Pech’s attorney, Dr. Lynden Jones, argued that the sentence handed down by the trial judge was “manifestly excessive.” He contended that the judge erred in applying the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court sentencing guidelines—since Belize had no formal sentencing framework for sexual offenses at the time—and failed to clearly explain how the 21-year starting point for rape was determined.
Dr. Jones further submitted that the trial judge did not grant sufficient deductions for mitigating factors, such as Pech’s previously clean record and good work ethic.
Representing the Crown, Senior Crown Counsel Shanidi Chell-Urbina from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the judge’s decision was sound and in line with regional standards. She noted that Belize’s own Sentencing Guidelines—introduced in January 2024 for homicide cases and February 2025 for sexual offenses—now align closely with the approach used in Pech’s case.
Chell-Urbina also rejected the defense’s argument that the sentence was excessive, saying it could have been considered lenient given the multiple offenses committed against the same young victim over time.
She concluded by urging the court to deny leave to appeal, asserting that the punishment imposed was both appropriate and just.
The victim, who gave her testimony in camera during the trial at age 14, recounted the assaults that occurred when she was just nine years old.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision, and Pech remains in custody pending the ruling.
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The post Man who raped 9-year-old girl multiple times wants 19-year sentence and conviction overturned; His attorney Dr. Lynden Jones argues client’s sentence ‘manifestly excessive’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, October 27, 2025. 6:53 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 51-year-old man, Hildo Pech, is once again behind bars as he awaits
The post Man who raped 9-year-old girl multiple times wants 19-year sentence and conviction overturned; His attorney Dr. Lynden Jones argues client’s sentence ‘manifestly excessive’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
