By Belize Live News Staff: Vincente Cerreras, a 43-year-old farmer, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl. The sentencing was handed down on Wednesday following his July conviction, in which DNA evidence conclusively proved his guilt on two counts of rape.
The court heard that Cerreras raped the minor on two occasions—first on June 27, 2019, and again on August 26, 2019. During the trial, Cerreras was represented by Attorney Ronell Gonzalez, with his mother and church pastor serving as character witnesses, requesting leniency from the court.
Justice Candace Nanton presided over the case and sentenced Cerreras to two concurrent 16-year terms for the rapes, meaning both sentences will be served at the same time.
