Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 6:20 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Garth Longsworth, a 42-year-old Belizean national accused of two counts of sexual assault on a 15-year-old female minor, appeared in Court #1 on Tuesday. Longsworth, who is currently out on bail, requested a sentencing indication as he considers a potential guilty plea.
Longsworth was initially arraigned on Thursday, February 20, 2025, following police reports that he allegedly solicited the minor to be his girlfriend and kissed her.
Today, his substitute attorney, Joanne Zuniga Stuart, holding brief for Paulette Elrington, asked the court for a sentencing indication, a procedure defendants often request when contemplating a guilty plea to understand the potential prison term they might face.
The sitting Senior Magistrate of Court #3 informed Longsworth that he could face a prison term of two years on each count, with a potential range of two to four years per charge. In outlining the factors for consideration in sentencing, the Magistrate emphasized the victim’s age, the significant age difference between Longsworth (42) and the minor (15), any harm caused, the breach of trust as Longsworth was reportedly a family friend, any prior convictions, and other mitigating and aggravating factors.
While Longsworth was initially facing a potential seven-year prison term, the sentencing indication suggests that a guilty plea could result in a two-year sentence.
The case has been adjourned until May 5, 2025. On this date, Longsworth is expected to inform the court whether he will accept the indicated sentence and enter a guilty plea or proceed with a not guilty plea and stand trial.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Man charged with sexually assaulting minor asks what his punishment will be if he pleads guilty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 6:20 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Garth Longsworth, a 42-year-old Belizean national accused of two counts of sexual assault
The post Man charged with sexually assaulting minor asks what his punishment will be if he pleads guilty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.