A man who pretended to be a police officer will serve more than 21 years in jail after he raped a Belize City woman.
This afternoon, Justice Ricardo Pilgrim sentenced Leon Lamb to 21 years, 1 month and 26 days for the September 24th, 2022 rape of a 30-year-old woman, an attack the court described as vicious, degrading, and traumatic.
The court heard that Lamb forced his way into the victim's home while armed with a gun, pretending to be a police officer. The woman's roommate was present at the time but was unable to intervene. During the assault, Lamb slapped the victim, beat her, and called her "a pig" while raping her.
Justice Pilgrim found that the harm caused to the victim fell into the high category, noting the severe psychological impact outlined in the Victim Impact Statement. The victim told the court she felt dirty, ashamed, and withdrawn after the attack.
Because of the violence, the use of a firearm, the forced entry, and the degrading language, the judge increased the sentence. The court also treated Lamb as a predatory offender, noting that he had a previous sexual conviction just months before this crime.
The judge said Lamb showed no remorse, limiting the mitigation allowed.
Lamb had denied the allegations during trial, but the judge ruled that the victim's testimony was credible, detailed, and believable, forming the basis of the conviction.
