Man Remanded After Attempted Rape Charge Involving 5-Year-Old

Belize City construction worker, 55-year-old Victor Cowo, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being charged with attempted rape and harm upon a 5-year-old child. Cowo, unrepresented, appeared before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers this afternoon, where he was read the two indictable offenses. According to allegations, on Sunday, June 15, just after ten o’clock in the night, the child’s mother returned home to find her child screaming. She reportedly observed a man, identified as Cowo, under a sheet on the sofa, with his pants and the child’s pants pulled down to their knees. The mother intervened, pushing the man off the child, who she stated was being choked. Police were called, and Cowo, who was known in the area, was detained. On Monday, June 17, a doctor examined the child and certified that she was not carnally known, but sustained injuries classified as harm. Due to the serious nature of the offenses, Chief Magistrate Rogers denied Cowo bail. He has been remanded into custody until September 30 but was informed of his right to apply for bail at the High Court.