Cab driver denies trying to kidnap his ex

Willward Pinto

Forty-one year old Belize City cab driver Willward Pinto is tonight refuting an allegation made by his ex-girlfriend in court on Wednesday that he attempted to kidnap her earlier this week.  According to Pinto, he was taking his former common law, Rhea Pennill, to work on Monday afternoon when they became embroiled in a dispute inside his vehicle.  Pinto says that during the argument the young lady opened the door of the moving vehicle and jumped out before he was able to stop.  As a result, Pennill sustained several injuries that were later classified as wounding.  Pinto, who was later charged with aggravated assault and wounding, appeared before Magistrate Sherigne Rodriguez where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He was released on a bail of five thousand dollars and is set to return to court on June twentieth.