Lauriano Ramirez convicted of rape

A Belize City man found guilty of rape in the Supreme Court has been remanded to prison until January eighth when he will be sentenced. A jury of nine people this evening convicted twenty-four year old Lauriano Ramirez of the rape and aggravated burglary of his ex-girlfriend. In addition to the rape and burglary, Ramirez was additionally charged with wounding, and aggravated assault, but those charges were withdrawn in Magistrate’s Court. Throughout the proceedings Ramirez maintained innocence that he had attacked the Belize City woman. According to court reports, the victim testified that on February twenty-sixth, Ramirez went to her home, broke down her door, and forced her to accompany him to another location where he had sex with her against her will and then stabbed her in her arm and body. Neighbours reported that when they tried to assist the woman during the assault at her home, Ramirez fought them off with an ice pick. Ramirez defended himself during the trial. The case was prosecuted by Marjorie Moyston.