Man to stand trial for injuring wife, breaking plates

A St James man who reportedly damaged his wife's plates during a fight at their home in February will stand trial in the St James Parish Court on October 27, following failed attempts to resolve the dispute through restorative justice.

Vincent Kerr, who is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property, got the new trial date and had his bail extended when his case was mentioned before presiding Judge Theresa Fowler last Friday.

The court was told that although the couple's matter was previously referred to mediation, efforts to come to an amicable conclusion at the restorative justice centre were unsuccessful. It was also disclosed that the medical certificate for the complainant, who was absent from Friday's sitting, was still outstanding from the prosecution's case file. Judge Fowler subsequently set October 27 as the date for Kerr's case to be tried, and extended his bail for him to return to court on that date.

Allegations are that on February 27, Kerr and his wife were at home when they got into an argument which swiftly turned physical. During the tussle, Kerr reportedly dragged the complainant out of the house by her blouse, resulting in her banging her head against the house's metal grille and injuring her foot. Kerr also allegedly kicked two boxes of plates belonging to the complainant, resulting in several of the plates being damaged.

The police were called and Kerr was subsequently arrested and charged.