Man remanded over threats after fearful wife alleges past abuse

A man charged with threatening his wife was yesterday remanded to prison after a court heard that he had previously bitten off a piece of her ear and chopped her and that she was fearful of him.

Shamain Williams told Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court that she wanted her husband, Dwayne Williams, out of their home.

The charges read against him were that on February 17, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language and threatening behaviour to his wife. He pleaded not guilty to both charges when they were read to him.

The man was also charged with damage to property, based on the allegation that he damaged a quantity of ornaments, valued $8,000 and property of his wife. He said that he only broke two ornaments.

Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt said the man made the threats and damaged his wife’s property after he went home under the influence of alcohol.
Shamain, when given a chance to address the court, said that she and her husband had been married for over 20 years and that he would usually come home and curse her. The woman also disclosed that he once bit off a piece of her ear, chopped her and that he would lock her up in their bedroom. She said that she feared her husband and wanted him out of her home.

For his part, Dwayne told the court that he could not live in peace with his wife, whom he said would wake early in the mornings and start cursing. He further stated that he lives with his wife and his mother-in-law and the entire family do as they please and he cannot say anything. He said he was previously placed on a bond by the court for another matter he had with his wife’s brother.

Hunt objected to bail, noting that the couple resided at the same address and there is a likelihood that there might be a recurrence of the incident.

The magistrate told Shamain that she can apply for a protective order under the Domestic Violence Act, while Dwayne was refused bail on the threatening language and threatening behaviour charges and he was admitted to bail in the sum of $8,000 for the damage to property charge.

The matters were adjourned until March 13.