Man charged in assault on girlfriend after accusing her of stealing phone

A man was on Monday charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend, who he accused of a BlackBerry phone from him.

Dexter Holder, 42, was released on $80,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It was alleged that on January 15, at Demico House, Holder assaulted Shemaine Stanislaus so as to cause her actual bodily harm. Holder, who resides at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On the same day, it is alleged that at Demico, Stanislaus, 26, stole a BlackBerry Curve, valued $55,000, form Holder.

Stanislaus, who resides at Charlestown, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Attorney James Bond, who represented Stanislaus, explained that his client was in abusive relationship with Holder and ended it on the day in question. He added that she refused to return the cellular phone that he bought for her as a gift.

He further stated that Holder had beaten his client publicly and was bailed on the same day for the attack.  The lawyer also claimed that during the beating, his client lost the cellular phone.

The prosecution told the court that the medical certificate shows abrasions to Stanislaus’ left ear, bleeding to her mouth and a swollen eye. The prosecutor had no objection to her being granted her pre-trial liberty, but asked that the couple stay away from each other. Stanislaus was subsequently informed that she was released on self-bail and ordered to stay away from Holder.

Attorney George Thomas, meanwhile, represented Holder and stated that he has a fixed residence, no pending court matter and posed no flight risk. As a result, the magistrate granted him bail in the sum of $80,000.

Both matters will continue on February 22.