-court advises counselling
Gary Semple, who yesterday admitted his guilt in the wounding of his ex-wife after finding another man at her home, will know his fate on November 1, when he is to be sentenced.
Until then, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered Semple to undergo counselling along with his wife, Jacqueline Clarke, who did not want to proceed with the case against him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Semple was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Clarke, with whom he shares children, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.
Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick stated that Semple went to the home of Clarke and saw another male companion at the premises.
Bostwick stated that Semple left and returned the following night and inquired about why the male was there. He subsequently became annoyed and picked up a piece of wood and dealt a lash to Clarke’s head, causing her injuries, Bostwick added.
When given the opportunity to explain his actions, Semple, however, said that he only pushed Clarke and she hit her head to a wooden wall.
The magistrate released Semple in order for him and Clarke to seek counselling from the Ministry of Human Services.
Clarke broke down in tears and pleaded with the magistrate to not send Semple to prison, stating that on the night of the incident, she told the police that she did not want to continue with the matter.
“He’s the father of my three children and if he get lock up, nobody ain’t gon take care of them.
He does carry them to school and provide for them,” she cried. Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry then explained to Clarke that she has not come to a decision on the penalty but for the time she would order counselling for them both.
