Previously charged with chopping his partner about her body and face, Dexter Stewart, 44, yesterday appeared in a city court to answer a new charge that he assaulted the woman.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, Stewart said he wanted to “clear his name” of the accusation that he assaulted Desiree Gillian to cause her actual bodily harm on June 19.
After reading the charge, the magistrate inquired whether the complainant was aware that she could apply for a protection order and she responded in the negative.
Gillian then related that Stewart was before the courts on different occasions for chopping her about the face and body.
The magistrate then promptly explained to Gillian that in light of such allegations, she should familiarise herself with the protection order under the Domestic Violence Act.
When asked by the court, the complainant said that she shared a relationship with the defendant four years ago and that they no longer live together.
However, Stewart denied the allegations and was placed on self-bail after Prosecutor Bharat Mangru declined an objection to the bail application submitted by attorney George Thomas.
Thomas said that his client poses no risk of flight and has been and will continue to be cooperative with the police as he wants to clear his name.
The father of two was subsequently placed on self-bail, with the condition that he keeps the peace pending the determination of the matter, which will continue in Court 10 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
