Man Accused of Burning Common-Law Wife’s Home Remanded for Arson

Biscayne Village resident, 36-year-old George Cecil Bull was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today after allegedly burning down the home of his common-law wife and injuring her. Bull appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today where he was charged with one count of harm, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of arson. Bull pleaded not guilty to the harm and aggravated assault; however, since the arson is being handled on indictment at the high court, he could not enter a plea with respect to that charge. The prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offences and asked the court to consider that domestic violence cases are on the rise in Belize. After adjourning the matter for later in the day, the Magistrate decided that, for the safety of the complainant, Bull would not receive bail. In court Bull argued that he was not responsible for the arson, and said that he only has the clothes he wore to court because all his clothes were burned in the fire as well. Bull was remanded until November 18; however, his bail hearing at the High Court is set for Friday. Allegations against him are that he committed the aggravated assault and harm on September 15, while arson was allegedly committed on September 22. In that case he is accused of burning down a plycem home where the building and contents have an estimated total value of forty-nine thousand, three hundred dollars.