Man gets three months for assaulting babymother

A man accused of assaulting his babymother in an argument over the custody of their child was sentenced to three months' imprisonment when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently.

Charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and assault at common law is Steve Roberts. He pleaded "guilty with explanation" and not guilty, respectively.

Allegations are that on October 26, Roberts and the female complainant, who is his babymother, reportedly got into a dispute regarding their six-year-old son. It is said that the child had been living with the accused man for an extended period, but reportedly expressed his desire to visit and live with his mother who resided in downtown Kingston.

Things came to a head when Roberts decided to make his way to his babymother's dwelling with the child in an attempt to drop him off.

threatening manner

Following a brief argument, things became physical when Roberts allegedly used a knife to point it in his babymother's face in a threatening manner, demanding that she take custody of the child. Roberts allegedly punched the complainant in her face soon after.

A report was made to the police, and Roberts was arrested and charged.

In court, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey probed the matter.

"Did you point a knife at her?" Pusey asked.

The accused man further explained that he has had the child in his care since summer, and the child was desirous of seeing his mother. After calling her on numerous occasions, the complainant blocked his number seemingly refusing to take custody of the child, he said.

Pusey, however, was not satisfied with the man's explanation.

"Listen to me, Sir, children cannot make decisions about where they want to live! Those decisions must be made by adults," Pusey said. "You can't have him back and forth."

Based on Roberts' own admissions, Pusey asked: "Any reason you shouldn't go to prison for this?"

"Your Honour, I am not lying, Your Honour, but she don't take care of the little boy," he replied.

Roberts was subsequently sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the assault charge. He was admonished and discharged on the common assault charge.