Coast Guard Officer Fights Off Attempted Rape by 2 Men

Juanito Cocom

Police in Rural Eastern Division have a thorny case of alleged attempted rape to investigate tonight. The case involves a Coast Guard officer, a manager for a major import and distribution outlet and a secondary school teacher, the latter two of whom lived at the same address in Ladyville. They came one after the other, all “under blood”, to Ladyville police station in the early hours of Monday morning, after a drunken brawl at the residence. The central allegation is that according to the Coast Guard officer, the other two men set upon him and tried to sexually assault him while they were socializing together at the home of the attackers. Assistant Superintendent of Police and officer in charge of the Ladyville Police Station, Juanito Cocom, details what Police have been told so far.

ASP Juanito Cocom, Officer in Charge, Ladyville Police

“This morning, about twelve-thirty a.m., [a] twenty-four years, Belizean Coast Guard of Palmar Road, Orange Walk District, arrived at the Ladyville Police Station in a grey Toyota Hilux. Upon his arrival, it was noted that he was fully covered with blood. He stated that he was socializing with two persons at a residence on Perez Road, Ladyville, when he was sexually accosted by the two men. They attempted to rape him – he claims they attempted to rape him, and he fought them off. Shortly thereafter, a person arrived at the station, bringing two persons bleeding profusely… Both were immediately transported to Belize City and are presently at the Belize Medical Associates undergoing treatment. They received wounds to the head and are listed in a stable condition. Police then visited the residence on Perez Road, where the incident had occurred; it was processed; a machete, a chisel and other items were retrieved. So far we have still not managed to get a proper account of the incident from the persons at the hospital, at Belize Medical Associates. As we speak, police officers are interviewing them to see their side of the story.”

Police confirmed the incident took place at the residence, but would not detail much more, including the relationship between the alleged attackers and the accuser; or between the alleged attackers themselves. Police continue their investigations and will seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions as to what charges to levy, if any.