By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Far West Street resident narrowly avoided jail time for the New Year after being fined $2,005 and placed on a one-year suspended sentence for assaulting a police officer while armed with a knife and machete.
Forty-year-old Nelson Martinez appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault upon a police officer. The charge stemmed from an incident in which Martinez brandished a machete and knife at a cop while the officer was carrying out his duties.
For his guilty plea, Martinez was fined $2,005, which he has until the end of June 2026 to pay. The court also imposed a one-year suspended sentence, meaning Martinez must remain on good behavior for that period or risk serving one year in prison. The Chief Magistrate explained that Martinez must not be convicted of any violent offense during the suspension, including aggravated assault, common assault, threats of harm, or threats to damage property.
In mitigation, Martinez told the court he acted in self-defense, admitting he had the knife and machete but claiming he felt threatened and annoyed when police entered his room. He also alleged that a young man who had earlier spat on him had been provoking the situation.
According to police, the incident occurred while two cops were on foot patrol along George and West Streets. Their attention was drawn to a disturbance involving a 30-year-old man, who reported that another man had spat on him and cursed him. Police later went to a residence on West Street to speak with the alleged aggressor.
Police say that when officers entered the room, Martinez armed himself with a machete and knife and advanced toward them in an aggressive manner, forcing one of the cops to retreat in fear for his life. Martinez was later identified by his mother and escorted to the police station, where he was charged.
The Chief Magistrate warned Martinez that failure to pay the fine could result in imprisonment, though he may apply for an extension if he demonstrates consistent effort toward payment.
The post Belize City’s finest: Blade man fined $2,000 for pulling machete and knife on 2 cops and chasing them from his room in ‘fear for their lives’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Far West Street resident narrowly avoided jail time for the New Year after being fined $2,005 and placed on a one-year suspended sentence for assaulting a police officer while armed with a knife and machete. Forty-year-old Nelson Martinez appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate on Wednesday, where he pleaded
The post Belize City’s finest: Blade man fined $2,000 for pulling machete and knife on 2 cops and chasing them from his room in ‘fear for their lives’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.