Teacher charged for assaulting city council administrator

Ian Mariano

Excelsior High School teacher, Ian Mariano, was found guilty today by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith of a charge of common assault. In the court this morning, Mariano also conceded to being guilty of damage to property. On the twenty-third of August, Mariano was accused of assaulting Belize City Council Administrator, Candice Burke, after he threw a glass of soda in her face and in the process caused damage to a glass and supply holder. Burke testified that during a meeting, Mariano picked up a glass with soda and threw it at her.  She told the court that she also felt threatened by him. The Chief Magistrate found that Mariano’s conduct was reprehensible and disgraceful and after finding him guilty for common assault, she directed Mariano to apologize to Burke. By way of apology, he told Burke that he never meant to make her feel threatened. The Chief Magistrate bound him over to keep the peace for three years and he was fined five hundred dollars for the damage caused. Mariano was also ordered to stay away from Burke during this period, but since his wife works at City Hall, he was told that he can pick her up and leave the premises