Electrician remanded after allegedly attacking sister

A 31-year-old electrician, Adwan Kanhai, was remanded to prison on Wednesday following allegations that he assaulted his sister, Aria Richmond, and used abusive and threatening language against her and her mother, Arita Griffith.
Kanhai appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The charges allege that on Saturday, December 13, at Lot 62 Durban Street Lodge, Georgetown, Kanhai assaulted Richmond and directed abusive and threatening language towards her. Two additional charges state that he used abusive and threatening language towards Griffith at the same location on the same day.
Court proceedings revealed that Kanhai lives at the back of the same yard as his sister. The prosecution told the court that on the day of the incident, Kanhai was behaving disorderly outside their home. When Richmond confronted him about his aggressive conduct and asked him to stop, he ignored her and continued to act erratically.
The prosecutor informed the court that Kanhai had been drinking and smoking on the day of the incident, which contributed to his disorderly behaviour. The court also heard that after constantly warning him to stop, one of the complainants reportedly threw water at him to ward him off, and he allegedly punched Richmond twice in the face. The prosecutor confirmed that Kanhai and Richmond are siblings.
During the hearing, Kanhai initially refused to provide his full address, stating only that he lived “with his sister”. Richmond clarified that he lived in the same yard at the back of the property.
The Magistrate then asked him again to state his address, and he responded saying that it was “at the same address”. As a result, Magistrate McGusty noted the refusal to provide a clear address, citing it as one of the reasons for denying bail.
The Magistrate also ordered a probation officer to prepare a report, given the sibling relationship. Richmond requested that her brother be sent for rehabilitation, but the Magistrate explained that rehabilitation could only be considered if the defendant admitted to committing the acts, which he had not.
Throughout the hearing, Kanhai repeatedly stated “not guilty” while the Magistrate read the charges, at times appearing to contemplate his response before entering his plea.
The matter has been adjourned to February 25.