Shopkeeper charged with molesting 9-year-old

A Belize City businessman has moved from behind the counter to behind bars following accusations that he molested a nine-year-old girl. Forty-five year old Charles Vellair was arraigned today on a charge of aggravated assault when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord. The girl, accompanied by a social worker, reported to police that on the afternoon of May twentieth, Vellair fondled her vagina and then laid on top of her. The child was examined by a doctor and based on the result, the accused was arrested. Vellair pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has been remanded to Hattieville prison and is to reappear in court on Friday.