Yellowman Convicted of Assaulting Police Officer, Spared Jail Time

Brian Edward Audinett, better known as “Yellowman,” has been convicted of aggravated assault against a police officer, but was spared jail time. The forty-four-year-old appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning, where his case was scheduled to go to trial.  However, when the prosecution requested an adjournment, Audinett asked the court for a sentencing indication before deciding whether to change his plea.  Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison informed Audinett that the offence carries a possible prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to three thousand dollars, or both. The court, however, indicated that it was considering a fine since Audinett was a first-time offender. Audinett then changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.  The charge arose from an incident on January thirtieth, when Police Constable Kevin Laing was reportedly conducting special patrol duties near the corner of King Street and Amara Avenue in Belize City. According to the facts presented in court, a disagreement developed over whether Audinett had paid for a burger at a food stand. When Officer Laing intervened, Audinett reportedly became verbally aggressive and swung his hand at the officer.  As he left the courthouse this morning, Audinett told reporters that while he maintains he did not commit the offence, he pleaded guilty because he was tired of repeatedly attending court and preferred paying a fine to spending time behind bars.

Audinett was fined five hundred dollars, along with five dollars in court costs. He has until October 31 to pay, or he will serve three months in prison.