Posted: Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 5:28 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Jeffery Pott, a 35-year-old man, has been sentenced to a total of 20 years and 5 months and 16 days in prison for two counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (USI) with a girl under the age of 14, and an additional 4 years, 5 months, and 16 days for one count of USI with the same girl when she was 14 years old. The sentencing was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court.
The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred on three separate occasions: August 24, 2021, January 2, 2022, and February 20, 2022. Pott was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with the minor, who was 13 years old during the first two incidents and 14 during the third.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Pilgrim emphasized the need to send a strong message to society, particularly men, that “touching children will lead to consequences” and that children are vulnerable and require protection. He outlined the relevant sections of Belize’s Criminal Code and the new sentencing guidelines of the Senior Courts of Belize, which came into effect in January 2025.
Justice Pilgrim meticulously detailed how he arrived at the sentence, considering both aggravating and mitigating factors related to the offense and the offender. Aggravating factors included the need for deterrence and the vulnerability of children. Mitigating factors related to the offense included the absence of violence.
However, Justice Pilgrim also considered aggravating factors related to Pott, noting a prior drug conviction, his lack of remorse, and his accusations against the victim. Mitigating factors related to Pott included the recent death of his mother, his participation in a remand program, positive character testimony from his sister, and the fact that he is a father and was reportedly a hardworking member of his community before his arrest.
Despite these mitigating factors, Justice Pilgrim ultimately ordered the two 12-year sentences for the counts involving the child under 14 to run consecutively, totaling 24 years. The 5-year sentence for the count involving the 14-year-old will run concurrently with the other sentences. After deducting 198 days spent on remand, Pott will serve a total of 20 years, 5 months, and 16 days for the first two counts and a concurrent term of 4 years, 5 months, and 16 days for the third count, effective from his conviction date of January 25, 2025.
In a surprising moment as he was being taken into custody, Pott asked if he was being recorded and then directed a message to his victim, saying, “Tell yuh ma deh truth ah nuh deh hide nothing from yuh ma,” while displaying a smirk.
During the trial, Pott denied all allegations and presented two alibi witnesses, his estranged common-law wife and a female relative, whose testimonies contradicted each other. Justice Pilgrim ultimately rejected Pott’s defense and the alibi witnesses, finding the victim’s testimony to be credible and reliable despite some minor discrepancies. He concluded that one or both of Pott’s alibi witnesses were lying.
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The post ‘Touching children will lead to consequences’: Judge slaps convicted molester with lengthy prison term appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 5:28 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Jeffery Pott, a 35-year-old man, has been sentenced to a total of 20
The post ‘Touching children will lead to consequences’: Judge slaps convicted molester with lengthy prison term appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
