Men Who Shot at Police Officers Appear in Court

Allen Anderson Jr. and Joshua Jones Jr.

Two men who shot at police officers in Ladyville on Sunday night have been charged for aggravated assault with a firearm upon a police officer on duty. On Sunday, police responded to reports of a fight in progress in front of a bar on Woodpecker Road. When the officers arrived at the location, two men, identified as Allen Anderson Junior and Joshua Jones Junior, allegedly fired shots in their direction. Fearing for his life, Police Corporal Kerian Bowen returned fire and the men ran unto Plunkett Street. Officers then set chase after the men and they were able to detain Anderson that night. Jones escaped into some nearby bushes, but he was detained at home the following day.  The duo appeared before the Chief Magistrate this evening where Jones pled guilty and Anderson chose to plead not guilty. The court imposed a fine of one thousand dollars, plus five dollars cost of court for Jones, because he has no previous convictions for a similar offense. After Jones pleaded guilty and was fined, Anderson asked to change his plea. And, as he was about to do so, his attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley showed up to represent him. After Attorney Bradley spoke briefly with his client, Anderson entered a plea of not guilty.  Due to the nature of the offense, he was denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central prison until March eighteenth. Attorney Bradley is expected to make a bail application at the High Court for Anderson, who shed tears in court when he found out that he would be remanded.