Mediation ordered in 'soup throwing' case

The St James Parish Court has issued a mediation order in the case of a man who reportedly threw hot soup on his babymother during an argument.

The couple appeared in court on Wednesday, July 4.

Linford Atkins was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The court was told that on May 4, the complainant went to speak to the accused about their children.

An argument developed and Atkins allegedly threw soup on the complainant, burning her on several sections of her body.

In addressing presiding judge Kacia Grant, the complainant said that the incident was part of a long-standing pattern of abuse she had reportedly suffered at Atkins' hands.

"This has been happening for 20 years, and we have not been together for seven years. I want justice," the complainant said.

"What is justice to you? What is it you want this judge to do to him?" asked Grant.

"I wasn't thinking about that," the complainant admitted.

"Mediation allows you to decide how best you want to deal with this matter, so I'm going to refer this matter to mediation," said Grant.

The court was also told that the complainant's medical certificate was outstanding from the prosecution's case file.

The matter was subsequently set for mention on September 19, and Atkins' bail was extended.