Pay for pain

Acting Magistrate Deborah Beckles has imposed a combination sentence on a 45-year-old man who admitted to assaulting his former long-term girlfriend.

The District ‘D’ Magistrate ordered Anderson McDonald Best of Arthur Seat, St Thomas to compensate the virtual complainant $1 500 by January 31, 2023, or spend three months in prison.

He was also placed on a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months. If Best breaches that order he will spend six months in jail.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Stephanie Peters on October 3, causing her actual harm.

According to the facts read by Sergeant Victoria Taitt, Peters ended a 13-year relationship with the accused six months ago and moved out of the house they had shared. They have three children together.

On the mentioned date, Peters was walking along the road after work when Best, riding a bicycle, approached her and started shouting at her. She responded by asking him to leave her alone.

He then pushed her in the chest, causing her to stumble backwards, and she retaliated by striking him with an umbrella.

Best got off the bicycle and pushed her again and the altercation escalated.

Peters subsequently got away and reported the matter to the police.