Last night we told you about a joint press release condemning the recent rise in sexual assault against children.
It cited a total of 220 sexual abuse/assault reports from January to June 2021 and reminded all Family members, teachers, school administrators, and medical practitioners who work with or provide services to children that all suspected cases of child abuse must be reported to the Belize Police Department and the Department of Human Services.
Tonight, we've begun to understand the extreme need for such a firm condemnation.
We start with the case of 20-year-old Alejandro Choc who today was arraigned for two counts of rape of a child. That charge is the result of a report made on August 23 when the mother of a 12-year-old minor reported that the child had been raped by Choc.
That mother claimed that her child had gone to use an outdoor bathroom upon entering it. She was pushed from behind and forced inside. She says that Choc then turned out the lights and proceeded to sexually assault her daughter. Sometime thereafter she came to knock on the door and called for the child, but the child couldn't answer because the victim alleged that Choc had covered her mouth and threatened to harm her. It was only with the assistance of the Police working at the nearby store he was detained and escorted to the San Pedro Police Station.
But that rape of a child was preceded by another which also occurred within the home where the child lived. The man charged in this case is 31-year-old Jeffrey Gillett. Allegations against Gillett sexually assaulted a minor to whom he'd been providing tutoring services.
Gillett who was represented in court by Attorney, Richard "Dickie" Bradley was arraign before Senior Magistrate, Tricia Pitts- Anderson.
In court, no plea was taken from Gillett, and due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied, and Gillett was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 21, 2021.
And tonight, Gillett is joined at the Belize Central Prison by another man, 27-year-old Gregory Tillett Jr... He's accused of causing harm to two sisters and sexually assaulting the younger of them.
Allegations against Tillett are that he sexually the minor while she was sleeping in his home but she told her sister, who is a friend of Tillett's at which time they attempted to flee.
But Tillett Jr., reportedly prevented them from doing so by slamming the older girl against the wall and choking her. That's when the younger girl intervened with a machete allowing them to run for help.
But while the siblings were at the roadside waiting for a ride, Tillett Jr., allegedly followed them and threatened to kill the 21-year-old woman as he came at her with an ice-pick. The
Ultimately, they managed to escape. But fearing for their lives, they reported the incident to police causing Tillett Jr., to be arrested and charged.
In court, Tillett Jr., pleaded not guilty to all five counts and due to the nature of the offenses, Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford denied him bail due to the nature of the offenses.
Gregory Tillett jr., is due back in court on October 21, 2021.
