53-Year-Old Man Found Guilty of Sexual Offences Against Minor; Sentencing Scheduled for July

A 53-year-old man was found guilty today of two sexual offences against a minor, specifically, one count of sexual assault and one count of assault of child under the age of 16 by penetration.  Jerod Dawson went on trial without a jury earlier this year between January and March before Justice Nigel Pilgrim.  Sentencing has been deferred to July 5.  During the trial, the victim testified in camera that on March 14, 2022, she was at a residence on the Philip Goldson Highway when Dawson touched her inappropriately on her private part, rubbed himself on her and proceeded to fondle her with his fingers.  The child was 12 years old at the time.  When the time came for Dawson to provide a dock statement, he chose to remain silent.  During the trial, however, he had indicated that the child had fabricated the story and that no such incident occurred.  Dawson was returned to the Belize Central Prison to await sentencing.  He was represented in trial by Attorney Virginia Requena while the prosecution was represented by Romey Wade.