A taxi driver was sentenced on Friday to fourteen days’ imprisonment for the unlawful assault of his fiancée over a text message.
The charge against Rawle Hardy is that on March 17 he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Rushell Renville. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court One.
According to Police Prosecutor Lionel Harvey, on the day in question the Virtual Complainant (VC) received a text message, and the defendant who went through the phone found that it was from a male friend. Harvey told the court that the defendant proceeded to question the VC about the message but she didn’t respond. As a result the accused became annoyed and dealt the VC several slaps and cuffs.
When given a chance to defend himself, Hardy stated that he did not cuff his girlfriend, he “just slap her.” He said further that he and the VC were driving “coming down and I ask her about the text” and she didn’t respond, and when they arrived at her mother’s residence he again asked her “and still nothing.”
After hearing all the details in the matter, the magistrate handed down the 14 days’ sentence.
After the sentence was handed down, the VC told the magistrate that she did not wish to proceed with the matter but Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry informed her that the matter had gone too far for her to object.
Meanwhile, Phillip Jones was also ordered to spend 14 days in prison after he appeared before the magistrate for assaulting his reputed wife Cheryl Jones. He also pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
The prosecution’s facts stated that the two share a relationship and on March 14 the defendant asked the Virtual Complainant (VC) to do him a favour but she refused. The defendant then became annoyed and dealt the VC several slaps and cuffs. The matter was reported to the police and the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged.
In his defence Jones also pleaded that he “jus give me girlfriend several slaps.” When questioned he also admitted to having appeared in court before for robbery under arms.
As in the first matter, the VC attempted to inform the magistrate of her wish not to proceed with the matter, but it was too late.
