| A San Pedro Contractor is being accused of swindling an American national out of $16,750 as a down payment towards a house plan. The accused 35 year old Mark Botes appeared at the Belize City magistrates court yesterday where he was read a single charge for obtaining property by deception. The complainant, 47 year old Chris Burton told police that he had paid Botes in April of 2024 but after September of that same year he stopped hearing from him despite his numerous attempts to reach him. Botes was represented in court by Attorney Norman Rodriguez, he provided more details on the case.
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney
"Well, the summary of facts is very brief. There was a contract between him and the virtual complainant, and the virtual complainant is alleging that appeared close to a year thereabout, that he has tried to contact him, but I have my own instructions, and I must say this at first, that anytime somebody is charged for a crime, the public is quick to comment."
"One-sided conviction, public conviction. This man has invoices. He has receipts for work done for plans drafted. A permission from the rightful authorities to build, and he has hired people to do work, and he has done work. He has already started building. There was a second part to this agreement that I am instructed, which the virtual complainant was supposed to pay a sum of money, but if that is true, and I believe it is from what I have seen, he did not tell the police that."
Mark Botes
"I'm not guilty. I will prove it. I have all my receipts. And the thing is, the CIB who charge me went to take pictures of the stuff on the island he still charged with."
Reporter
"So you're fighting your case, right?"
Mark Botes
"Yeah, I think he doesn't know how to charge me."
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