A man accused of maliciously injuring his girlfriend was on Wednesday jailed for one month by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
Joel Forde, 34, of Lot 99 Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), admitted to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Sheik Hassan
The charge against him stated that on June 5 at Lot 63 First Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shenese Maynard.
The court heard that the defendant and the Virtual Complainant (VC) have been in a relationship for the past eight years. However, he is in the habit of assaulting her and as such she moved out and went to her mother’s house.
The Prosecution stated that on June 5 at about 11:00h, Forde visited that house and started to act disorderly when he was asked to leave.
He then proceeded to attack and wound the VC after he noticed that she received a text message from another male.
The accused’s account of what transpired differed greatly from that of the VC. He told Magistrate Azore that he and the VC were talking when he visited her mother’s home. However, he said that she received a text message, which prompted him to leave. He added that she would not allow him to leave and a scuffle ensued which cause her to be struck to her mouth.
He pleaded for leniency, stating that he ended the relationship with the VC.
Magistrate Azore told the defendant that since he is in the habit of such behaviour, she would have to give him a much stronger sentence than a mere fine, and as such, she sent him to prison for one month.
Meanwhile, a Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara man who also assaulted his girlfriend was taken before Magistrate Azore to answer to an assault charge.
Sheik Hassan, 24, admitted that one June 6, 2017, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown unlawfully assaulted Dolly Arjune.
The prosecution told the court that on the day in question at around 16:10h, Hassan visited the Virtual Complainant’s (VC) place of work at Silvies where he kicked her once to the body.
The matter was reported and he was arrested and charged with the offence.
However, the defendant told the Magistrate that he visited the woman at her place of work as he had not seen her for three weeks, but she proceeded to embarrass him.
He told the court that he was sorry for what he did and will not repeat his actions. When asked whether she would like to continue a relationship with the defendant, the VC said no.
As such, he was fined $25,000.
