Tonight cardiologist John Gough remains at the Belize Defense Force headquarters detained as Private John Gough and he will remain there officially under arrest - and basically imprisoned for the next 21 days. On Thursday evening Pvt. Gough was detained for going AWOL – absent without order of leave.
The BDF’s Commander Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett returned to the country Saturday and that evening he tried, convicted, and sentenced Pvt. Gough for going AWOL. The sentence is 21 days detention at Price Barracks, 2 months suspension from duty, and it could end with a dishonorable discharge.
Gough’s family maintains that he took leave from the BDF with verbal permission from General Gillett. In an official release, the BDF says Local Captain John Gough was absent without leave and that is why he was demoted to a private. The BDF says it frowns on officers who go AWOL but stresses that all procedures were followed. The release adds that under the Defense Act – Pvt. Gough can appeal.
Because it was a military trial – Pvt. Gough had no legal representation on Saturday. His family says Gough will serve out his 21 days and then consider his legal options.
