Belize City construction worker fined after stabbing cousin with screwdrivers while he slept

A Belize City construction worker has been fined after admitting to a violent attack on his cousin while the man slept at a worksite. Twenty-six-year-old Amir Arheni Aban, a mason of Belize City, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault and was ordered to pay a fine totaling eight hundred and five dollars.  Aban appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate this morning where he answered to a single charge of aggravated assault. The court heard that the incident occurred on Sunday at a construction site on Seashore Drive in Belize City.  According to the allegations, Aban assaulted his cousin, Rodel Cobb, using two screwdrivers as dangerous instruments. Aban immediately pleaded guilty to the charge. When questioned by the Chief Magistrate about his actions, Aban told the court that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He further explained that there had never been any previous disagreement or misunderstanding between himself and his cousin and stated that he was the one who had brought Cobb to work at the construction site.  Police reports indicate that officers, including Police Constable Erwin Martinez, responded to the construction site after receiving information about the disturbance. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Cobb, who reported that a man wearing a white T-shirt and appearing intoxicated had been threatening him in Spanish. Cobb said that although he understood Spanish, he chose not to respond and instead went to lie down on his mattress.  Cobb told police that while lying down, he suddenly felt someone stabbing into his mattress. When he looked up, he realized it was Aban, who was holding a blue screwdriver in one hand and a three-inch screwdriver in the other, swinging them at him. Cobb said he was struck on the left side of his cheek, causing pain, and a struggle then ensued. He managed to escape the room and ran to a nearby construction site to seek help.  Police later detained Aban and escorted him into custody, where he was charged with aggravated assault.  In court, Aban expressed remorse for his actions. Taking this into consideration, the Chief Magistrate imposed a non-custodial sentence, fining Aban eight hundred dollars along with a five-dollar court cost. He has been given until March 3 to pay the fine and will face three months’ imprisonment if he defaults.