National Transport employee charged with aggravated assault

Darwin Rhaburn

Thirty-two year old Darwin Rhaburn, an employee of Belize National Transport, has been charged with aggravated assault of an indecent nature after being accused of fondling a minor on his worksite.  The incident occurred on January fifteenth when the minor alleged that at about one o’clock that afternoon while at a bus terminal Rhaburn called her over.  The fifteen year old claimed that when Rhaburn began touching her private parts. This morning inside courtroom number three Rhaburn appeared before Magistrate Kathleen Lewis where he was read a single charge.  Court prosecutor Corporal Dean Augustine objected to bail on the grounds that the victim is a minor and due to the nature of offence allegedly committed against her.  Magistrate Lewis upheld the objection and denied Rhaburn bail. Strangely the teenager recanted her story stating that she fabricated the entire incident while in a state of anger.  A warrant was already being prepared to remand Rhaburn to the Hattieville Prison until April twenty-first.  His sister, realizing that he was going to jail innocently, went in search of legal advice and hired an attorney to properly represent Rhaburn.  While the charge was not withdrawn Rhaburn was offered bail in the sum of two thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount which he met by four o’clock this evening.  The minor is now expected to be charged with committing a mischievous act.  The case was adjourned until May fifth.