Elderly Man on Trial for Sexual Assault of 11-Year-Old Boy in Belize City

A 70-year-old Belize City man, Henry Hulse, is back behind bars tonight following the commencement of his trial for the alleged rape and penetration of a child under the age of 16.  Hulse stands accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy in Belize on June 10 last year. Hulse, who has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison since the allegations first surfaced, appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court this morning. During today’s proceedings, Prosecutor Shenelle Fernandez called three of her five scheduled witnesses to the stand: the investigating officer, the first reporting officer, and a Scenes of Crime Technician. This afternoon, two additional witnesses also testified. In total, the Crown presented two live witnesses today, with the statements of three other agreed witnesses being read out in court. The virtual complainant, the 11-year-old boy, and his younger brother are expected to take the stand tomorrow morning. Henry Hulse is being represented by attorney Norman Moore. The trial is set to continue tomorrow where the Crown is expected to call four more witnesses.