Resident says false allegation led to detention

David Lambert

Lambert also claims that four persons were arrested, but only after he sought out witnesses from surrounding villages to support his report. He alleges that false reports were made against him and his wife, leading police to detain them briefly.

David Lambert

“I understand that four of them have been charged but in order for that to happen—I guess the police were too busy—I had to go to other villages  and find witnesses, people who were there at the time because the people in the village don’t want to speak up against the chairman and his family. This matter is still in front of the courts and as of yet, my wife and I have not been charged. Although people were accusing my wife and I of attacking them.”

Delahnie Bain

“You also mentioned that they accused you of being a fugitive so to speak.”

David Lambert

“About a week and a half ago, police came and arrested my wife and I at the farm and carried us to Ladyville. They were putting my fingerprints through the computer through Interpol because the village chairman and his family had made complaints that I’m an international criminal hiding in Belize.”

Delahnie Bain

“And what came out of that?”

David Lambert

“In the end the police apologized to me and let me go.”

Delahnie Bain

“So what are hoping will happen now, coming to the media?”

David Lambert

“Well, I wouldn’t like to see other people who come from outside Belize to try to make a life here and work hard get treated the way that I’ve been treated and my wife has been treated. But I also don’t feel that a village chairman should be at the front of an angry mob leading an attack against citizens who may or may not be committing infractions.”

We were unable to reach Michael Jones for his side of the story, but we were told that he operates a bus service, which often keeps him away from the village.