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On May 28, 2021, Belizean authorities detained Jasmine Hartin, a 32-year-old Canadian woman. They charged her in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court in connection with the death of Henry Jemmott, a local police superintendent. The Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal directed that Hartin be charged with negligent manslaughter in Jemmott’s death in Ambergris Caye when he was off-duty.[1] The case is a high-visible one in Belize because Hartin is the partner/husband of Andrew Ashcroft, son of Michael Ashcroft, the Conservative party donor. Lord Ashcroft is a former Tory party deputy chairman. He is formerly a member of the House of Lords, a billionaire, and very influential due to his investments in Belize. [2]On June 9, the Supreme Court granted Hartin bail.
[1] Director Public Prosecutions Directs Manslaughter Charges Jasmine Hartin, The Belizean, May 31, 2021 https://belizean.com/national/director-public-prosecutions-directs-manslaughter-charges-jasmine-hartin.
[2] Luke Harding, Belize gripped by arrest of Ashcroft son’s partner over officer’s death, The Guardian, June 4, 2021.