Lennox John, the proprietor of the Ashmins Store, was yesterday charged with allegedly beating his wife.

John, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm when Magistrate Priya Beharry read it to him, was subsequently granted $30,000 bail.

He denied that on August 5, he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Moufousa John, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

John’s lawyer asked for reasonable bail, noting that he has been in business for over 30 years. He said that on the day of the incident, the couple had an argument over the repayment of a debt which escalated into a scuffle.

The attorney added that during the episode, John’s hand, on which he was wearing a ring, hit the woman to her face, causing her to sustain a gash to her nose.

After granting bail, the magistrate ordered that the matter be transferred to Court Two for September 15.