Accused in Canadian Rape Case Out on Bail

Derrick Gabb

A Fabers’ Road resident has been arraigned on a charge of rape in relation to a report by a visiting Canadian national. Forty-six year old Derrick Gabb was read the charge before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford today. She reported that she was sleeping with her boyfriend and was awoken around three-forty-five a.m. Thursday to find she was being raped. However, Gabb and attorney Herbert Panton say they have proof that both were involved in consensual sex. Police discussed the matter this morning.

Reporter

“We’ve been made to understand that the person she’s accusing has turned himself in and has reportedly provided information and evidence to disprove this woman’s allegation against him. Are you able to confirm that the gentleman has been located and can you indicate if that is accurate that he is providing evidence to support a conflicting account of what this woman is saying he did unlawfully?”

Wilfredo Ferrufino

Insp. Wilfredo Ferrufino, C.I.B., Belize City

“What I can confirm is that indeed the gentleman handed himself in. I had commented on the case on Monday that it was a Canadian national and that the suspect who is now accused because he has been charged or was charged yesterday for rape. However, I don’t want to go into details in regards to that matter.”

No plea was taken in court, but there was some question as to whether bail should be granted. Attorney Panton argued that unlike unlawful sexual intercourse, rape is a bailable offence under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act at the Magistrate’s Court level. Bail was granted of six thousand dollars subject to the following conditions: not to be in contact with the victim or prosecution witnesses, report to the Racoon Street Police Station every Friday and not to be arrested for any other offense while out on bail. Gabb returns to court on July twelfth.