British national Perry Stratford says that he did not miss his court date, claims miscommunication

Published by BBNTEAM at February 22, 2023

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Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2023. 6:09 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: British National Soldier, Perry Ian Stratford, who had a bench warrant issued for him when he failed to show up to court to answer to a charge of kidnapping, says that he did, in fact, make it to court on Friday, February 17.

Stratford appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, explaining that he had shown up to court but was told by his attorney that the matter was being adjourned so he left. He was escorted to court by personnel from the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and his new attorney, Darrell Bradley, but was detained due to the bench warrant.

In court, Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson explained to Stratford that defendants cannot leave without being seen by the Magistrate; however, since the incident was due to miscommunication, she lifted the bench warrant against him.

Stratford is due back in court on April 18. He stands accused of kidnapping his ex-fiancee on December 24, 2022, but has pleaded not guilty and is filing a counter charge against the woman.

He remains in custody at the BATSUB compound, after his former attorney Orson Elrington secured $10,000 bail for him at the then Supreme Court, arguing that security force personnel should not be housed in the general prison population because it is a safety risk.

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