Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2025. 6:09 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: While one interdicted police officer walked free in a separate case this week, another, Reginald Diego, 43, was convicted of sexual assault against a 13-year-old minor in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court late on Wednesday.
Diego, who remains on interdiction, was found guilty of sexually assaulting the minor on March 20, 2021. Despite denying the allegations, he admitted to giving the girl a ride from Libertad to Corozal and taking her to a seaside area where the alleged assault occurred. Diego claimed he believed the girl was an adult and that she was coerced by other officers to make the accusations.
The prosecution, led by Dercene Staine and Alifa Elrington, presented six witnesses. Diego, who represented himself after failing to secure legal counsel, testified in his own defense but called no witnesses.
The Magistrate, in her ruling, found the prosecution’s witnesses credible and reliable, noting a recent complaint made by the victim shortly after the incident, which corroborated her testimony and that of a female Police Constable. The Magistrate also dismissed Diego’s claim of coercion, stating there was no opportunity for such influence. Additionally, the court noted that Diego’s claim of not knowing the victim was contradicted by evidence showing he knew her mother, leading to the inference that he knew the victim was a minor.
Diego was allowed to remain on his $4,000 bail pending sentencing. A social inquiry report has been requested, and the mitigation plea hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2025, when an appropriate sentence will be determined.
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The post Interdicted cop convicted of sexual assault against 13-year-old girl; sentencing delayed appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2025. 6:09 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: While one interdicted police officer walked free in a separate case this week,
The post Interdicted cop convicted of sexual assault against 13-year-old girl; sentencing delayed appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
