Prison Officer Granted Bail After Rape Arraignment in Ladyville Case

A Belizean prison officer is out on bail tonight following his arraignment on a charge of rape.Oferico Ico, a resident of Silver Creek Village in the Toledo District, appeared virtually in court this morning. He is accused of raping a 33-year-old woman in the Lords Bank area of Ladyville last Wednesday, August 20. According to police reports, the victim alleges that Ico, whom she knew, forced her to have sexual intercourse with her against her will while she was at home. She reported the incident to the Ladyville Police Station the following day. In court today, Ico’s attorney, Hurl Hamilton, successfully applied for bail. While bail is often denied for similar offenses in the lower court, rape is not one of the specific crimes listed under Section 16 of the Crimes Control and Criminal Act where bail is prohibited. The Police Prosecutor did not object to bail but requested that conditions be set. Magistrate Ludlow Black granted bail to Ico in the amount of $5,000, plus two sureties of $2,500 each. As part of his bail conditions, Ico is ordered not to interfere with the alleged victim or her family and must stay at least 100 yards away from her. He is also required to report to a designated police station every Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. No plea was taken from Ico, and his next court date is set for October 10.