By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Wesley Junior College paralegal student who was initially remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to keeping unlicensed ammunition is now out on bail after changing his plea to guilty late Monday evening.
John Cleveland Burke, 20, of Henderson Avenue, Belize City, appeared in court earlier in the day after police say he was found in possession of two live 9mm rounds of ammunition during a house search on Friday, May 15.
Burke, who was unrepresented, initially appeared before a Magistrate in Court #3, where he first indicated that he wanted to plead guilty and asked whether he could receive a fine. He was informed that the offence carries a possible mandatory prison term of up to five years, depending on the mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
After being allowed to consult with relatives, Burke changed his plea to not guilty and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 20, 2026.
However, while still detained in the holding cell area of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court and awaiting transfer to prison, Burke asked to change his plea back to guilty. He was then brought before the Chief Magistrate in Court #1, where his guilty plea was accepted.
Burke told the court that his actions were out of character, that he knew he had done wrong, and that he was prepared to take responsibility. He also asked the court to consider that he is a first-time offender and pleaded for a non-custodial sentence.
The Chief Magistrate deferred sentencing and ordered that an evaluation be conducted by an officer of the Community Rehabilitation Department under the adult alternative sentencing protocol. The officer is expected to interview Burke, assess his circumstances, and provide a recommendation to guide the court on an appropriate sentence.
In the meantime, Burke was granted bail in the sum of $4,000 plus two sureties of $2,000 each, which he was able to meet.
As part of his bail conditions, Burke must surrender all travel documents, must not apply for new travel documents without the court’s permission, must not leave the country without permission, and must report to the Belama Police Station twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Burke, who is enrolled in the paralegal course at Wesley Junior College and reportedly aspires to attend Norman Manley Law School, is due back in court on June 29, 2026, for sentencing.
The post Wesley Junior College paralegal student granted $4,000 bail after allegedly being busted with two live .9mm rounds appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Wesley Junior College paralegal student who was initially remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to keeping unlicensed ammunition is now out on bail after changing his plea to guilty late Monday evening. John Cleveland Burke, 20, of Henderson Avenue, Belize City, appeared in court earlier in the day
The post Wesley Junior College paralegal student granted $4,000 bail after allegedly being busted with two live .9mm rounds appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
