A middle-aged woman from Ladyville reported to police that a man she only knows as “dumb boy” raped her on February 17th. But he’s no boy, he’s a 49 year old mute named Sergio Angel Betancourt from Santa Martha Village. He went to the woman’s house asking for water to drink but after giving him the glass the woman told police that he threw her to the ground and then raped her.
Through the assistance of a sign language translator, Betancourt told Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie that while he knows his age he does not know his date of birth and that he can neither read nor write. The Magistrate explained that she would not be taking any plea and that the crime was serious.
The prosecution objected to bail because the victim’s relatives have been very annoyed and there is the serious possibility that harm can come to the accused. It is also possible that Betancourt himself could try to interfere with his victim. The Magistrate denied bail in the first instance but Betancourt was told that bail would be considered when he reappears in court.
