Posted: Friday, April 11, 2025. 5:58 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: Five young men, including two minors, were arraigned in Belize City on multiple charges related to the alleged mistreatment and theft of a horse. The group includes 19-year-olds Tyreek Straughan and Raheem Herbert, a 16-year-old, and two 15-year-olds. All five were charged with cruelty to animals and cattle theft, with specific allegations of abetting cruelty directed at four of them.
On the first count of cruelty to an animal for wantonly torturing a horse, all except one of the 15-year-olds pleaded guilty; on the second charge, accused of abetting the torture of a horse in the Fabers’ Road area, only the 16-year-old pleaded guilty and the others pleaded not guilty. Herbert was allegedly seen holding the horse’s reins, and video evidence corroborated claims that Straughan used a machete during the attack. But in court, Herbert changed his plea to not guilty after initially admitting to this charge and denied in court that he was in fact holding the reins. All of the five pleaded not guilty to the final charge of cattle theft.
Despite strong objections from Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, all five were granted bail of $2,500 each by the Senior Magistrate, who emphasized that while she considered the particular cruelty of this case, detention of minors should be a last resort. The conditions of their bail include avoiding contact with the victim or their property, as well as restrictions on social media interaction regarding the case. Straughan, Herbert, and the 16-year-old must report to the Racoon Street Police Station every Tuesday and Friday starting April 15, while the two minors will report weekly on Wednesdays.
The initial court hearing revealed disturbing details about the case, which began with an investigation on April 10. Police found a brown horse with severe wounds, allegedly inflicted by the accused, who were identified in video footage.
The Senior Magistrate slated the case for a mitigation hearing scheduled for May 5.
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The post Five young men arraigned for cruelty to animals; some plead guilty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, April 11, 2025. 5:58 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: Five young men, including two minors, were arraigned in Belize City on multiple charges related
The post Five young men arraigned for cruelty to animals; some plead guilty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
