Posted: Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 5:01 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Ervin Middleton, a 49-year-old security guard from #3318 Central American Boulevard, Belize City, was found guilty of the rape of a 13-year-old girl. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court of Justice. The crime occurred in September 2020 when the victim was a Standard 6 student.
Middleton, who was out on bail, appeared shocked as Justice Pilgrim announced his decision, concluding a trial that had wrapped up in March. The judge had reserved his ruling until this week.
According to testimony given “in camera” by the now 18-year-old victim, Middleton, who was living at their home at the time, returned early from a function where the girl’s mother and siblings had gone. The victim stated that after giving him a glass of water, he asked her to lie down with him. When she refused and threatened to tell her mother, he allegedly grabbed her, forced her onto the bed, and raped her, telling her that her mother would never believe her.
The case was not reported until 2022, not by the mother, who initially did not believe her daughter, but by another relative. The mother testified that her disbelief stemmed from an earlier admission by her daughter of consensual sexual intercourse.
In his defense, Middleton denied the allegations, claiming the victim fabricated the story out of revenge after he ended a relationship with her mother upon discovering they were related. He also alleged he had caught the child lying previously.
Justice Pilgrim, in his ruling, stated that the Crown had successfully proven all elements of rape of a child, including penetration without consent, the accused being the perpetrator, and the victim being under 16 at the time of the incident (13 years and 8 months old). He found the victim’s testimony, despite some inconsistencies, to be credible and reliable.
Justice Pilgrim has ordered a Social Inquiry Report, a Victim Impact Statement, antecedent information for the convict, and a prison report. Middleton’s bail was revoked, and he has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison pending his mitigation plea, which is scheduled for May 16, 2025.
The trial commenced on March 4, 2025. The prosecution was led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Sheiniza Smith, who called four witnesses. Middleton was represented by Attorney Ian Gray.
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The post Ervin Middleton found guilty of raping 13-year-old girl appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 5:01 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Ervin Middleton, a 49-year-old security guard from #3318 Central American Boulevard, Belize City,
The post Ervin Middleton found guilty of raping 13-year-old girl appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.