By Breaking Belize News Staff: Andre Gordon, a former hotel security guard who was previously convicted of rape and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, appeared in the High Court on Wednesday as he awaits a court-ordered retrial following a successful appeal.
Gordon’s conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal, which ruled in his favor and ordered a retrial. As a result, Gordon was granted bail and has since regained his freedom while awaiting the new trial in connection with an alleged rape said to have occurred on February 24, 2017.
The retrial is scheduled to be heard before Justice Candace Nanton. However, when Gordon appeared in court around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, he was unrepresented. Gordon told the court that he had retained an attorney but was unsure why his counsel was not present.
Justice Nanton informed Gordon that he must meet with his attorney to determine the way forward, noting that she now has carriage of the matter and must set a date for the retrial to commence. The case was subsequently adjourned to Monday, March 30, 2026.
Gordon was originally found guilty of rape at the conclusion of his trial on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, which was held before Justice Ricardo O’Neil Sandcroft. He was later sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, with sentencing handed down on September 30, 2022.
At trial, Gordon maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual, while the complainant testified that she was raped. Justice Sandcroft, in delivering his verdict, stated that the case ultimately hinged on the issue of consent and that he accepted the complainant’s version of events.
The victim testified that Gordon raped her anally in the early hours of February 24, 2017. She told the court that Gordon appeared at her home around 3:15 a.m., claiming he was checking to ensure she arrived home safely. She said she later awoke to find him on top of her, resisted, and questioned why he was doing this to her before he fled the room.
The prosecution also called a neighbor who testified that she heard loud banging noises, a female voice saying “no, leave me alone,” and later saw Gordon hurriedly leaving the victim’s residence. The prosecution argued that this circumstantial evidence supported the allegation of rape.
In his defense, Gordon testified under oath that the sex was consensual and vaginal, claiming the complainant fabricated the allegation after being discovered with a man, as she was known to be a lesbian.
Gordon now awaits the start of his retrial as the matter returns to the High Court.
The post After Court of Appeal overturns conviction, Andre Gordon retrial for rape adjourned appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Andre Gordon, a former hotel security guard who was previously convicted of rape and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, appeared in the High Court on Wednesday as he awaits a court-ordered retrial following a successful appeal. Gordon’s conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal, which ruled in his favor
The post After Court of Appeal overturns conviction, Andre Gordon retrial for rape adjourned appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
