Lord Ashcroft's son's partner charged with manslaughter over death of police officer in Belize

The partner of Lord Ashcroft's son has been charged with manslaughter by negligence following the death of a police officer in Belize, according to local media.

Jasmine Hartin, 38, the girlfriend of Andrew Ashcroft, whose father was deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, has been in custody since Friday after Superintendent Henry Jemmott, 42, was shot in the head on a pier on the island of Ambergris Caye.

According to the Daily Mail, Ms Hartin’s lawyer said his client had been denied bail.

Godfrey Smith said: “The charge is manslaughter by negligence. Bail has been denied. We appeal to the Supreme Court as is normal.”

Under Belize’s criminal code, the maximum prison sentence for manslaughter by negligence is five years.

Earlier on Monday, reports claimed that Ms Hartin may have been giving Mr Jemmott a massage when his gun accidentally went off and shot him in the head.

Mr Jemmott’s body was found floating in the sea next to the pier in the town of San Pedro on the east coast of Belize.

Ms Hartin has reportedly claimed that when he was accidentally shot he fell on top of her, attempting to get him off she pushed him and his body fell from the pier into the water, 7 News said sources claimed.

Chester Williams, the Belize police commissioner, previously said when Ms Hartin was found on the pier she was “in an emotional state”.

Mr Jemmott’s sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul, has pleaded with Ms Hartin to “give closure to the family”.

“Tell us what happened. We want to know for the benefit of our family. He was my only brother,” she said.

“He had five children and a partner for 14 years. Every time I look at my nieces and my nephews I break down and cry. Please tell us what happened.”

Results of the post-mortem examination were expected to be released late on Monday night.

Ms Hartin, an American who has been living in Belize for many years, is in custody in a holding cell at the San Pedro police station – which one local described as "hell on earth".

Mr Jemmott's family had previously rubbished suggestions that the officer took his own life. It is understood he had recently asked for time off to deal with "personal issues".

His other sister Cherry Jemmott, an assistant superintendent in Belize Police, told the Daily Mail: "My brother would never ever kill himself. He had his plans. In September he was to be promoted to senior superintendent and he was to be transferred to another unit. My brother is a very top cop with a big dream."

She added: "He is so skillful after 24 years (as an officer), he would never have left his guard down. He was a top cop. I don't know how he let down his guard to be shot with his own gun."