Mental appraisal needed for man charged with carnal knowledge

Dean Bennett

Also in court, the trial of Dean Bennett for a charge of attempted carnal knowledge and aggravated assault of an indecent nature was interrupted today by Judge Troadio Gonzalez. Bennett is accused of sexually abusing a ten year old girl.  The trial was suddenly halted by the judge when Bennett displayed peculiar behavior, a mental appraisal was ordered and the jury, discharged. But Bennett was sent to the Belize Central Prison because of bail violations. When he failed to show up in court on Wednesday, a bench warrant was issued which led to his immediate detention. His trial started, but was discontinued today. The incident purportedly occurred in June 2011 when Bennett allegedly attempted to have sex with a ten year old girl at a room he occupied at the time of the offence. The girl, now twelve years old, testified that while playing with her siblings and a cousin, someone grabbed her. She initially thought it was one of the children, but later realized that it was Bennett who dragged her to a room and tried to sexually abuse her, but was surprised by her aunt. The aunt also claimed that when she eventually found the girl, Bennett had his hand over the mouth. The aunt also said that she sought the help of a friend but Bennett managed to escape. During his one day old trial, Bennett was unrepresented.