‘Chapas’ found guilty of Burglary

And turning to the Magistrates’ Court, today thirty year old Jose Castellanos, also known as ‘Chapas’, was charged with Burglary. The jury of six men and three women deliberated for over two hours and while the verdict was not unanimous, Castellanos was found guilty by a seven to two majority. Justice Adolph Lucas deferred sentencing until March eighteenth to allow Castellanos to prepare a mitigation plea. The charges relate to a report that the accused entered a house in Benque Viejo through an open window. A fourteen year old girl, who was asleep in the house along with her father and brother, says she was awakened when Castellanos touched her leg. She alleges that he had already taken off his pants when he was surprised by her father and brother and he jumped out the window, leaving his jeans behind. While a charge of Attempted Rape was placed on Castellanos, that was later withdrawn. Castellanos claims innocence and denies being known as ‘Chapas’. He says he is the victim of the police who are targeting him. The prosecution was represented by Crown Council Trienia Young, while Castellanos appeared unrepresented.