“Women were not made to be beaten. Use your hands to love her, not hit her,” Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday implored Matthew Johnson, who was charged with assaulting his wife.
According to the charges read, Johnson on February 3rd, at James Street, Albouystown, assaulted Nelly Sookram. Johnson was also charged with making use of threatening language to Sookram on February 5th at the same address.
He pleaded guilty toboth charges.
According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, Johnson and Sookram are common-law husband and wife, but Sookram indicated to him that the defendant was in the habit of abusing her. He stated that on February 3rd, Sookram was at home when the defendant began to slap her on her bottom. She asked him why he did so but was met with several blows.
Prosecutor Jones further stated that on February 5th, Sookram was at home reading her Bible when a man passed by the home. He added that Johnson then went to Sookram and asked her who the man was but she gave no response. “As a result of this, the defendant began to curse her and threatened to juk her up. Becoming angrier, he dealt her several cuffs about her body and tore her shirt up,” he added.
When asked by the Chief Magistrate why he hit and abused his wife, the 32-year-old Johnson kept apologising for his actions.
Sookram, who stated that she is a security guard, made a request to have a protection order so that Johnson cannot abuse or threaten her. This request was granted by the Chief Magistrate, who also ordered them to attend counselling by the Ministry of Social Protection. This mandated counselling is to help the couple with their relationship. It was noted that they share a 10-year-old daughter.
Johnson was subsequently reprimanded and discharged.
