Former Belize City Mayor assaulted by her caretaker

As Belize goes about observing March as Women’s Month, one woman who has had her bout with gender-based violence is the former Belize City Mayor, Zenaida Moya. Moya was reportedly pepper-sprayed and hit to the face inside her home at mile five on the Philip Goldson Highway. Her abuser, 28-year-old, Corliss Christoff Mckenzie, was arraigned today in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court for six criminal offenses for which he pleaded not guilty. McKenzie was charged with aggravated assault with pepper spray; issuing a death threat, and property damage. Initially, there was a charge of theft to be levied, but McKenzie has since returned the stolen money to Moya. The entire ordeal unfolded on Thursday morning at around five o’clock when Moya reportedly gave McKenzie access to her apartment where they got into an argument. In the process, the accused reportedly pepper sprayed her, hit her on both sides of the head, and placed a bread knife at her throat with a threat to kill her. He then proceeded to steal four hundred dollars from her wallet. Moya reported that she was able to escape to an area with an iron gate which McKenzie was unable to access. Love News understands that the accused has been the caretaker at Moya’s property for just over a month. Moya suffered a busted lip and multiple bruises and abrasions. As for McKenzie, he was given bail of two thousand five hundred dollars, and is to reappear in court on May 14. His bail is with the condition that he should not interfere with the complainant.