Police constable wins carnal knowledge appeal case

In the court blotter, Police Constable Juan Pop was convicted on March third of the Carnal Knowledge of a thirteen year old girl. Pop was facing a twelve year sentence for the crime, but tonight he is a free man after he successfully appealed the judgment. His attorney, Lionel Welch, convincingly argued that Pop was not properly identified by the victim, because there was no identification parade and the minor only described her assailant as a “short Spanish descent policeman”. So after six and a half months in his cell, Pop walked out of the court of appeal today a happy man, but says he now has to face the police headquarters in Belmopan.

Juan Pop, Freed of Carnal Knowledge
“It feels very good and I know my God is good because I was wrongfully accused so I just have to give praise to my lord.”

Anita Nembhard, Freelance Court Reporter
“This young lady that they accused you of having sex with, did you know her? Did you deal with her in any way on that day that she accused you of having sex with her?”

Juan Pop
“No ma’am, none at all.”

Anita Nembhard
“What would make a child do something like this towards a police officer?”

Juan Pop
“Well, from what was dug up from her past by my attorney, she just needed someone to blame and I cannot really say.”

Anita Nembhard
“What next for you Mr. Pop? You were a police officer three and a half years prior this, what next will happen for you in the future?”

Juan Pop
“Well, from now I have to go and check with Belmopan headquarters to see what they will tell me as a result of this.”

The thirteen year old girl alleged that Pop had sex with her at the Dangriga Police Station on May twenty-third 2007. She was being held at the station awaiting a transfer to the youth hostel.