After spending almost three months on remand, a 43-year-old man of Chaguanas who was accused of beating his wife and dousing her in gasoline because she did not cook him dinner, has been released on bail because she refused to testify against him.
In October last year, the man, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of the victim, was charged with assault by beating, possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, and using an explosive or noxious substance with intent to do grievous bodily harm and was denied bail.
The victim was scheduled to testify before Magistrate Adrian Darmanie on Wednesday, but when she attended the virtual hearing, she indicated that she no longer wanted to pursue the case against him.
Darmanie dismissed the assault charge and discontinued the noxious substance charge, but transferred the weapon possession and resisting arrest charges as both were not dependent on the victim’s evidence.
Darmanie granted the man $40,000 bail and ordered him to reappear in court on March 2.
According to the summary of evidence in the case, the incident occurred on October 9, last year, at the couple’s home in Longdenville, which they share with their three young children.
Police officers responded to a report of domestic violence and reportedly saw the man beating the woman with a cutlass while holding a gas container.
Even as the police officers sought to intervene, the man still continued beating the woman and doused her with the gasoline.
The man, who is a machine operator, reportedly told police: “You can’t lock me up, I beat she cause she ain’t cook.”
The man was eventually arrested after a brief struggle with the officers.
Although police prosecutors did not object to bail during the man’s first court appearance, Darmanie remanded him into custody over concerns about the victim’s safety.
The man is being represented by Bhimal Maharajh.