St Vincent man charged with assaulting woman in church, calling her 'the devil'

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC - A 48-year-old man, who told the court that he was intoxicated when he entered a church along with his dog, assaulted a woman while calling her a "devil" and interrupted the worship service, has been ordered to pay a fine by May 12 or go to prison.

"I was intoxicated, I can't remember. I have no memory," said Intiad Gordon, who lives next to the church.

Gordon pleaded guilty before Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court to a charge that on March 21 he assaulted Veronica Moore, causing actual bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance to the religious proceedings at the St Phillip's Spiritual Baptist Church.

The court was told that at around 8.00 pm (local time) on March 21 this year, Moore, a member of the church, was standing at the back of the auditorium when Gordon and his dog entered.

Gordon hit Moore to the front of the head saying, "You are the devil"

The worship was halted as Gordon continued his tirade. The police were summoned and Gordon was detained.

In mitigation, Gordon, who had no previous conviction, told the court: "Your honour, have some mercy on me. That's all I can say. If you can charge me a fine."

On the assault charge, the magistrate fined Gordon EC$500 to be paid by April 14 or three months in prison. He also has to pay compensation of EC$600 by April 23 or face a six-month prison term.

For disturbing the lawful assembly of religious worship, the court fined Gordon EC$500 to be paid by May 12 or spend three months in prison.

"Behave yourself," the magistrate told Gordon.

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