A man who allegedly assaulted a florist with his belt was refused bail on Wednesday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with the offence.
Kenneth Singh, 53, of 51 Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust pleaded not guilty to unlawfully assaulting Rawle Chin at Robb and Wellington Streets so as to cause him actual bodily harm.
Singh, a sales clerk, was represented by attorney Trevor Williams who told the court that the matter arose after the complainant had borrowed a battery.
Singh said that on the day in question he went to Chin to collect a battery when the florist became abusive and he was forced to take off his belt and deal him some lashes.
However Chin said that on the day, Singh called him and accused him of borrowing a battery on his behalf and not returning it. Chin said he denied this and the defendant became abusive to him on the phone, blurting out obscene language and hurling insults. Chin said after this he hung up the phone on Singh.
He added that a short while later, Singh showed up at his workplace and told him that “I tek me eyes pass him.” He then took off his belt and hit me with it about my body, Chin told the court.
After the physical assault, Chin said that Singh told him that he was not finished with him as yet.
Singh was remanded by the magistrate and the matter comes up next in Court Two on June 14.
