British Soldier Remanded for Kidnapping his Fiancée

Perry Stratford

Thirty-year-old Perry Stratford a British soldier attached to the British Army Training and Support Unit in Belize, BATSUB, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison earlier today after being arraigned for an alleged kidnapping, theft, harm and damage to property against his fiancée while in Belize.  It is reported that on Christmas Eve, Stratford abducted Gabriela Vanutterbeeck and held her against her will, before stealing her cell phone, before damaging it and causing harm to her.  This morning, shortly before midday, Stratford appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser in the company of attorney OJ Elrington.  There, he was read four criminal charges before being informed that he could not be offered bail for the alleged offenses.  Following the arraignment, attorney Elrington granted a brief interview.

Orson “OJ “ Elrington

Orson “OJ “ Elrington, Attorney-at-law

“We’re seeking an emergency application for bail and so we are still hopeful that before the end of the business day today we can be successful in getting an urgent application.  But as you indicated, as is, Mr. Stratford was charged with several offenses, one of them being kidnapping which was not allowed, which under our laws was not allowed for him to be granted bail by the magistrate.  The magistrate is prohibited from granting bail; however, we were able to successfully, this morning or early this afternoon, convince the court that considering the unique circumstances that Mr. Stratford could be held in the custody of the officials at BATSUB until his Supreme Court application was heard.  We were successful in that application, however, the authorities from BATSUB, after having been advised by their legal counsel are saying that they are not able to hold him in their custody until after he has been granted bail.  So that is where we are now, we’re hoping that we can make an emergency application to the courts so that he would have the opportunity to be released on bail.”

Anita Nembhard

“Okay.  I know, normally, at this stage you would have already been privy to the facts of this case.  Share with us briefly the allegation that is being made against Mr. Stratford about kidnapping.”

OJ Elrington

“Well I would not want to revisit the allegations because again they are frivolous, vexatious and totally without merit.  So I would not even want to put in the public sphere what are these allegations.  However, suffice to say that as you indicated, this is the result of a conflict, an argument between two persons who were engaged and that is where we are today.”