Judge tells man to marry 14 year old victim
Denis S. Hanomansingh
We lead our newscast tonight with three unprecedented decisions handed down today in respect of bail applications by Justice Denis Hanomansingh. In the first, the judge ruled that a thirty six year old man on a carnal knowledge charge would be granted bail if he marries the fourteen year victim. Hipolito Itza is a resident of Dangriga where it is alleged he had been living with the fourteen year old girl since February. Social workers made the complaint to the police and Itza was subsequently charged. When the bail application was heard on December sixteenth, Attorney Oscar Sabido submitted to the court that Itza should be granted bail because he intends to marry the minor. Judge Hanomansingh had indicated to both sides at the time that he was prepared to offer bail on the condition that Itza marries the minor and further, that if he does not do so by a specific date, bail would be revoked. The prosecutor Triennia Young promptly informed the court that Itza could not be forced to marry the fourteen year old and that marriage to the minor is not legal since children below the age of sixteen are not capable, legally, not even with parental consent, to marry. In seeking bail, Sabido also told the court that the mother of the young girl did not wish to proceed to trial. To this, Young told the court that the girl’s parent could not discontinue the case since it was the crown that brought the case against Itza. At today’s hearing the judge granted Itza bail in the sum of five thousand dollars and surety of the same amount. When doing so, the judge reportedly noted that (quote) “Mr. Sabido gives a personal undertaking as a senior member of the Bar that he would ensure that there is no contact, sexual or otherwise between the accused and the complainant in this matter until the conclusion of this case.” (unquote)
I agree that this may not be the best thing for several different reasons; especially because at that young age, biologically there are many reported problems with the new born and the young mother, and customs has changed. However, marrying at 14 years of age is nothing new Belize and many other countries in the world. The original people of Belize have been getting married at very young age before there was a country called Belize.
Think about the big celebration that is held when a female turns 15 years old; the Qinceanera party. The tradition exists because back in the day it was at this age females were expected to get married and may were already married by the time they get to be 15 years old.
Here is a kicker especially because of the season we are in right now. We celebrate the birth of Christ and the story of Mary and Joseph will be re-enacted several thousands times all over the western hemisphere in all its sanctity, but most people do not know that Mary is estimated (by those that study theology) to be about 13 years old at the time she gave birth to Christ.
thats a reall shame for our country.
Mary not 13 but 15 years of age….
Nobody knows how old Mary was. It is all speculation. Also, there is no historical evidence that any of this religious crap even occured.
Seems this will set ground for other “rapists” to get bail. It sort of legitimizes sex between a 14-year old and an adult, once you agree to marry her.
WOW BELIZE PEOPLE SHE IS 13 YEARS OLD THAT A BABY, THIS COUNTRY IS ! UP.
Is this real? What is happening to our judicary system? So if a 1o or 12 year old is in the same situation then that will be there verdict? What if it was a young boy will the same rules apply? What is happening here?
nah send him to jail, dont let him marry that 14 yr old girl. shes still a kid
Gadfly!!!! I’ve got news for you. There’s plenty of evidence that the miracle of Jesus’ birth occured. THE HOLY BIBLE is evidence. I feel sorry for your soul, obviously you don’t know Jesus.
This is some absurd sh$$ I tell you. What is this country turning to??
This is one of the saddest story I have read recently. This poor child is forced into womanhood, she is a baby herself. This man should be charged with rape of this child. He has changed this childs life forever, he has made her another woman who will have to depend on men for her survival. I pray that someone can take this child away from her parents and help her to become self supporting and not go on to have babies after babies.
Get over it people as long as he treats her good there should be no problem im not saying what he did is right but he married her
I agree with u john, I personally know about this story, when dis man met dis girl she was out there by herself working and she lied to him about her age, she is very big for her age, later on he found out and d sin was comitted already, I know how he treted her, he rented a home with everything inside and asked her to stop working, I thinks dat we should not judge if we donot know d situation, when he got to know her age he took her to her parents and explain and they agree dat she stays living with him dan doing bad jobs she was doing, in this case she was taken from the streets to a home……….