Convicted Officer Denied Bail, Remains in Prison Pending Appeal

A police officer convicted of sexual assault will remain behind bars as he awaits the outcome of his appeal.  Thirty-nine-year-old Brigilio Ack, who has served in the Belize Police Department for 19 years, was found guilty on August 15 of inappropriately touching a female colleague while on duty at the Rocky Road Police Booth. He was sentenced to 8 months in prison. Ack, now represented by attorney Rachel Montejo, applied for bail last week while his appeal is pending at the High Court. However, today the Senior Magistrate denied his application, meaning he must continue serving his sentence at the Belize Central Prison.  As of today, Ack has already served just over one month of his sentence. If his appeal is delayed, he may complete most, or even all, of his time before the case is heard.  Ack’s conviction has serious consequences for his career. His salary has been frozen, and he now risks losing benefits, pension, and gratuities he would have earned after nearly two decades of service.