Street Fight Near Swing Bridge Lands Two Men $100 Fines

Two men were fined for disorderly conduct today after being caught fighting in public on Regent Street West yesterday. Just before one o’clock in the afternoon, plainclothes officers from the Gang Interdiction Unit (GI3) observed 39-year-old Julio Antonio Lopez, and 29-year-old, Edwardo Assi, wrestling in the middle of the street near Swing Bridge. Officers quickly intervened, separated the men, and handcuffed them. Both appeared to be heavily under the influence of alcohol.  This morning, Lopez, a construction worker of Iguana Street, and Assi, a fisherman of West Street, appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Ludlow Black in Belize City Magistrate’s Court. They both pleaded guilty to a single charge of disorderly conduct for engaging in an unlawful fight in public.  The motive for the brawl, which allegedly occurred after the men were drinking at a nearby bar, remains unknown. Magistrate Black imposed a non-custodial sentence, fining each man $100 plus a $5.00 cost of court. They have until July 31 to pay, or face one month’s imprisonment.