BWS Employee Remanded Over Alleged Gun Threat Against Former Partner

A Belize Water Services (BWS) employee has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being accused of threatening his former partner with a firearm during a domestic dispute in the presence of their three-year-old child.  Twenty-three-year-old Charles Carr, an electrical technician, appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.  According to the complaint, Carr’s 22-year-old former partner visited his home on Electric Avenue on August 28 so he could spend time with their daughter. She alleges that when she attempted to leave, Carr locked the door, took possession of the key and demanded that she have sexual intercourse with him one final time.  The woman told police that after she refused, Carr allegedly pointed a firearm at her, struck her several times to the forehead and prevented her from leaving. She reportedly managed to send a text message to her aunt requesting help, and police arrived approximately fifteen minutes later.  Carr reportedly told the court that the complainant was outside and wanted to withdraw the charge. The court did not consider a withdrawal at that stage. Under the current procedure, a complainant seeking no further court action must first make a formal request through the police, after which the matter may be referred to the court.  Because the charge falls under the firearm provisions of the law, the Magistrate could not grant bail. Carr was remanded until November 3.