Linden man fined $35,000 for assaulting ex-girlfriend

A Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) man was on Tuesday ordered to pay a $35,000 fine after admitting to assaulting his former partner during a confrontation at the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown.
Devon Reid, an operator of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge. The incident occurred on August 10 and involved Orpha Persaud.
Reid initially pleaded guilty but sought to explain his version of events. He told the court that he and Persaud, who were in a relationship at the time, became embroiled in an argument over a domestic matter. The disagreement, he said, escalated into a “scramble” when his ex-girlfriend grabbed his jersey and he grabbed hers in return. He maintained that there was no physical assault, only an exchange of words. Persaud however, gave a different account. She said she had been sitting in the front passenger seat of a car at the seawall with her children when Reid approached and demanded $60,000. After she refused, he allegedly reached into the vehicle, attempted to take her phone, and pulled her out.

“He started to slap and cuff me in my face,” Persaud told the court.
She claimed that after bystanders, including her brother intervened, she told Reid the relationship was over and asked him to move out of her home. Persaud alleged that Reid then grabbed her again and assaulted her on the seawall.
The prosecution’s case supported her account, stating that Reid had slapped and cuffed her during the incident. Reid continued to deny striking her, claiming that if she was hit, it may have happened accidentally while others were trying to separate them. Persaud also told the court that the pair had jointly purchased a car, to which she contributed $500,000 as a down payment. While the vehicle was initially registered in both their names, she later discovered it had been transferred solely into his name. She said she had requested a refund, and his employer had promised to repay her on Tuesday if she agreed to withdraw the matter. She then indicated she did not wish to proceed with the case.
Magistrate Azore nonetheless asked Reid whether he was willing to have no further contact with Persaud. He agreed, and the prosecutor confirmed he had no previous convictions. Reid was fined $35,000 and ordered to stay away from Persaud.