He has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison for two years and two months, but tonight 36-year-old Nigel Ferguson is a free man. His criminal case for grievous harm concluded today after he pleaded guilty to scalding a police officer with hot water in August 2020.
You'll remember that case where Inspector Keith Clarke, a sergeant at the time, attempted to stop and detain a pedestrian who wasn't wearing a face mask during the strict COVID pandemic rules. The officer claimed that this pedestrian, identified as Ferguson, threw hot water on him in retaliation.
Shortly after that case became public knowledge, Ferguson's family members granted us an interview complaining that he was mentally ill and had threatened his family with violence. That incident and the report of his mental illness landed Ferguson in prison for over two years. A psychiatric assessment was conducted on him, and it was determined that he was fit to stand trial.
Today, he pleaded guilty to grievous harm. Still, the presiding Magistrate was not convinced that the police had adequately proven that the officer's burn injuries were that serious and that the defendant should face the total weight of the penalty for that charge.
She then sentenced him to 4 months, but because he had already spent over two years waiting for his trial, the Magistrate sentenced him to time served.
He spoke with court reporter Anita Nembhard after exiting the hearing:
Reporter
"You were charged with grievous harm on a police officer at the time, it was a sergeant right? and you wanted to plead guilty from it happened. Why was that guilty plea not taken?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"They said that due to the fact that I explained the incident happened and suddenly he pulled my left shoulder and hot water spilled on him."
Reporter
"So, you didn't intentionally mean to burn the officer?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"No, and I didn't want to waste the court's time with the back and forth. So, I just decided to plead guilty."
Reporter
"But, how long ago was this?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"August 6th, 2020."
Reporter
"2020, so, you spent 2 years in prison, right?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"Yes, 2 years in prison."
Reporter
"But why so long?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"They just prolonged the case."
Reporter
"So, how do you feel now that you spent 2 years and they told you today, time served, free to go?"
Nigel Ferguson, Pleaded Guilty to Harm
"I feel overwhelmed of joy for my freedom because it's not every time you get freedom and it's not easy when you're in prison for one. Locked up 23 hours and 1 hour of regulation, it's hard."
