Police have arrested and charged a 69-year-old German born-Belizean man on a number of charges after a 12 year old reported that he had sexual relations with her. The 12 year old reported to police that on April 5 she visited Henry Stein's residence where he had sexual intercourse with her. She also reported that Stein also took nude pictures of her. Stein was taken to Magistrate's Court this morning where he was read charges of carnal knowledge, 2 counts of trafficking in person, aggravated assault and one count of obstruction. Officer Commanding C.I.B. at Eastern Division Chester Williams today told us more.
ASP Chester Williams,
"This is in relation to a report made by a 12 year old along with her mother who complained that over a period of time the little girl has been going to Mr. Stein's home on Raccoon Street where he has been giving her money and taking nude photographs of her and in one instance had sexual intercourse with the little girl. A search was conducted of his home which subsequently resulted in the recovery of some photographs of the little girl in a nude condition taken on two different occasions, hence the reason why he was charged with two counts of trafficking in persons."
Alfonso Noble,
So those mere pictures are enough to take him in for trafficking?
ASP Chester Williams,
"Yes according to the trafficking in persons act, as long as you the child or any person for any pornography, or sexual exploitation, it constitutes the crime of trafficking in persons."
Alfonso Noble,
How long has this little girl been involved with this man? You said over a period of time but what period of time?
ASP Chester Williams,
"Within a five month period."
Alfonso Noble,
Do you all believe this is the only little girl that he has been having sexual relations with?
ASP Chester Williams,
"Well we're looking at the possibility of another female child but we have not been able to locate her. We are still looking for her and as soon as we find her, we will get story about it and if there is any evidence to arrest and charge him for that then we will also look at that.
We have been making checks with the US authorities to see whether or not he is wanted in the States for any similar crime but I have not gotten a response as yet. We are waiting for the response and then we will see when it comes."
In court today the police prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that he is a flight risk and that he may want to harass the complainant. Appearing as Stein's defense attorneys were Richard "Dickie" Bradley and Lutchman Sooknandan. Bradley argued that the offence was bailable and that the court to take necessary actions to prevent Stein from fleeing the country or harassing the complainant. With that he was granted bail of $10,000 plus one surety in the same amount. He is to reappear in court on May 12th 2006.
