By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 59-year-old resident of Lords Bank is behind bars tonight facing charges of sexual assault against a 15-year-old minor, just a week after pleading guilty to domestic violence stemming from the very same incident.
Enrique Gregorio Pook appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court at around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. He was read a single charge of sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Despite his plea, Pook was denied bail following strong objections from Police Prosecutor Sergeant Christopher Smith. Sgt. Smith voiced critical concerns regarding the safety of the minor, noting that Pook lives in the same area and knows where the victim resides, giving him direct access to her. The prosecution also highlighted the growing prevalence of sexual assault offenses within the court system and argued there was a strong likelihood that Pook would interfere with the victim if released.
When given the opportunity to speak, Pook pleaded for bail, stating that he had been picked up directly from his house, leaving it open and exposing his belongings to potential theft. He also mentioned that he assists his sister with delivering her food products and claimed he is still recovering from physical injuries, including a cut to his head requiring stitches and an injury to his left inner arm.
Senior Magistrate Dennison upheld the prosecution’s objections and remanded Pook to the Belize Central Prison until August 6, 2026.
According to police facts, the 15-year-old victim, accompanied by her 35-year-old mother, reported the incident at the police station on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The minor stated that on Monday, June 1, she was washing dishes at a residence when Pook approached her, stared at her, and offered her money. After she refused, Pook allegedly stood next to her and attempted to touch her inappropriately.
The minor reported that she pulled away, causing Pook to briefly step outside. However, he returned, began touching himself through his pants, and made inappropriate physical demands that made her feel highly uncomfortable. “Eh hard, just mek I touch it,” he reportedly said but when she tried to walk away, Pook reportedly grabbed her by the waist and sexually assaulted her. Pook was detained by police earlier this morning and formally charged.
This latest arraignment comes exactly one week after Pook appeared in court for harming his wife. His wife had previously told police that she became enraged after discovering her husband had inappropriately touched a minor, which led to Pook physically assaulting her. Pook pleaded guilty to the domestic harm charge last week and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,200 plus $5.00 court costs by September 11, 2026, or face two months of imprisonment in default.
The post ‘Eh hard, just mek I touch it’: Elderly man remanded for allegedly touching 15-year-old girl inappropriately then beating up wife when she found out about it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 59-year-old resident of Lords Bank is behind bars tonight facing charges of sexual assault against a 15-year-old minor, just a week after pleading guilty to domestic violence stemming from the very same incident. Enrique Gregorio Pook appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court
The post ‘Eh hard, just mek I touch it’: Elderly man remanded for allegedly touching 15-year-old girl inappropriately then beating up wife when she found out about it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
