A man was convicted of rape today in the Supreme Court. He is 23 year old Leroy Gomez who was charged with rape, robbery and aggravated assault. He was found guilty by a jury of 4 men and 4 women which deliberated for a little over three hours.
He is accused of attacking a 23 year old and 19 year old females at 3:30 in the morning on August 28, 2008 on Antelope Street in Belize City.
The victim testified that Gomez held her and her friend at knife point as they were walking home from MJ's Grand. He put his hand around both their necks and led them to an open lot where he stole a ring from the 23 year old and then ordered her to strip. The 19 year old ran off while Gomez was struggling with her friend.
The 23 year old testified that Gomez raped her as she crossed her fingers because she thought she was going to die. Gomez gave a statement from the dock in which he denied committing the offences.
For witnesses, he called 3 sisters, one of them his girlfriend who testified on his behalf. She said he was at a house on Jasmine Street at the time of the rape. That was fine until the other witness said he was in Gardenia at the time - and the other witness said she didn't know where he was.
Gomez was unrepresented and crown counsel Christelle Wilson prosecuted.
It is of significant note that she said that Gomez threatened her when he was being taken form the courtroom. She alleges that he told her, "you di smile right now, you betta watch yu back..." She said she is going to file a complaint against him.
