Belize City Man Remanded on Rape, Harm and Property Damage Charges

A Belize City man accused of raping his former partner while she had a protection order against him was remanded yesterday after he was unable to meet bail.  Twenty-six-year-old construction worker Shadron Gillett appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape, harm and damage to property. No plea was taken on the rape charge because it is an indictable offence to be heard in the High Court.  The woman told police the attack happened on July 2. She alleged that Gillett showed up at her home and refused to leave after she reminded him about the protection order. When she tried to record him, she said he grabbed her phone and smashed it.  According to her account, a struggle followed, during which Gillett damaged a second phone. She alleged that he grabbed her by the neck, struck her in the head with a surge protector and raped her. She also reported being punched in the mouth before he left.  Gillett was offered bail of five thousand dollars, with either one surety for that amount or two sureties of twenty-five hundred dollars each. He was ordered to stay at least one hundred yards away from the complainant and not to interfere with her or any member of her family.  He is scheduled to reappear in court in December.