A 46-year-old man who his wife alleges has been abusing her “for years” was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $75,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.
Malcolm Belle was arraigned on four counts of common assault, one abusive language charge and one threatening language charge allegedly committed on his wife Simone Belle.
The assault charges allege that on July 10 and 11 at different Georgetown locations, he unlawfully assaulted Simone.
He is also accused on July 10 at Georgetown of using threatening and abusive language to Simone, resulting in a breach of the peace.
The arts and craft salesman denied the charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
According to the defendant, he and his wife have been together for 16 years during which time their union produced three children. He said that it was the first time he has had a brush with the law relating to his wife.
“Differences do happen,” he told the court.
When given a chance to speak, however, the complainant said that she had been suffering abuse at the hands of her husband “for years,” but this is the first time she decided to report the matter to police.
Unrepresented by counsel, Belle made an application for bail. He told the court that he resides at 208 Duncan Street, Newtown, Kitty and wants to continue looking after his children, which “is my prerogative and obligation as a father.”
The prosecution had no objection to the accused being granted his pretrial liberty but asked that he give an undertaking not to interfere with the virtual complainant, pending the outcome of the matter, and he agreed.
After the prosecution also raised concerns that the parties live in the same house, the defendant provided the court with the alternative address of 15 Lombard Street where he said he can relocate during the continuance of the proceedings.
His mother, he said, lives at the Lombard Street address.
After the hearing, the presiding magistrate informed Belle that he would be admitted to a total of $75,000 bail on all the charges.
The matter will be called again on July 26 for report and fixture.
