Sixty-two year old guilty of sex assault on eleven year old

A sixty-two year old Belize City man has been found guilty of the sexual assault of an eleven year old girl. Emilio Blanco, a resident of Vernon Street, was today sentenced to three years in jail for aggravated assault and another one year for harm. The sentences, however, are to run concurrently. The minor reported to police that on July twelfth, 2003, she was about to take a bath when Blanco came into the room. She said she tried to run away, but he grabbed her and ordered her to take off her clothes. When she refused, Blanco then started to beat her. He eventually removed the girl’s clothes himself and then proceeded to fondle her. During the trial Blanco denied that the incident occurred, admitting only that he knew the girl. He and his attorney, Simeon Sampson, are in the process of appealing the conviction and sentence to the Supreme Court. This evening Blanco posted a five thousand dollar appeal bond and was released until that hearing. The case was prosecuted by Jacqueline Willoughby.