Taxi man accused of using chopper to injure partner

A man allegedly used a meat chopper to inflict a wound to his partner in a dispute over money.

John Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard that both Smith and the complainant are part of an informal savings scheme and she visited his home to collect money that was owed. It was reported that Smith took up a meat chopper, chased the complainant, held her by her neck, pinned her against a wall, then used the meat chopper to mark her around her neck.

"You did anything to her, Sir?" Senior Parish Court Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague asked. "Nothing like that, Your Honour. A my lady that, Your Honour," Smith replied.

A completely different account

The courtroom interrupted in laughter as he provided a completely different account of the incident.

"I have a car and I was driving the car down the road and I stop to talk to two young lady. She (the complainant) come out and see the car stop. When I go close to where she was, she run off and I come out the car. She round the lane and seh she a go station go tell police. Is she give me the bus fare to come here this morning, we sleep together last night," the 62-year-old taxi driver said. Smith added that he and the complainant have been together for 11 years and that she should not get jealous of him talking to young girls, as they are his customers.

Cole-Montague said she wanted the complainant to be present in the court, so that both parties could work out their problems.

"I want her to be here, so encourage her to come the next time," she stressed. They are to return to court on June 10.

- T.T.