(Platinum News BVI) Dominican born Ovel Benjamin Matthew, 23, who is accused of beating his Guyanese girlfriend unconscious in public in April last year, pleaded guilty to the charges of causing grievous bodily harm and damaging property. However he pleaded not guilty to attempting to choke.
In court yesterday before Justice Indra Hariprashad Charles, Senior Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe told the court that the Crown will be dropping the attempting to choke charge against Matthew.
Initially, Matthew was charged with attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, attempting to choke, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of reckless and negligent act.
His lawyer Herbert McKenzie told the court that he intends to call character witnesses for his client who is currently on remand.
The judge then set mitigation and sentencing for Friday.
According to police, Matthew beat his girlfriend, Savitree Ramphal, 26, unconscious on the public road in the Duff’s Bottom area and he then told them that it was a crime of passion.
The argument had reportedly stemmed from Matthew accusing her of cheating on him.
The woman had suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized. Matthew had told the police that he was sorry for what he did and that he loves the complainant.