Abused woman fined $15,000 for hitting reputed husband with rolling pin

A woman who hit her reputed husband with a rolling pin and pulled a knife on him was yesterday fined $15,000 or alternatively ordered to spend 10 days in prison when she appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

Inderia Katwarrie accepted that on June 20 at George-town she assaulted Mohamed Baig when the charge of common assault was read to her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Presenting the facts of the case, Police Corporal Simone Payne said that on the day in question, the defendant removed the SIM card from her reputed husband’s cell phone and refused to return it to him when he asked.

According to Payne, the defendant then went into the kitchen and armed herself with a rolling pin with which she dealt her reputed husband several lashes to his hand.

In addition, she took up a knife and was approaching the complainant who then ran out of the house and headed to the Ruimveldt Police Station where he reported the matter.

Katwarrie was later told of the offence to which she admitted and she was arrested and charged.

When given a chance to speak, the defendant said that the cell phone belongs to their son and not the complainant. She explained that the reason why she hit her reputed husband with the rolling pin was because he held on to her hand which was broken.

She explained that the cast had been taken off her arm only two days before the incident and the only means to get the virtual complainant (VC) to let go of her arm was to hit him with the rolling pin.
She added that the VC who wants her out of the house then began pushing her out and she grabbed the knife.

She said she pleaded with the man to stop holding on to her arm as he might cause it to break again but he responded by saying that he would “break all two.”

The defendant, who said the man hits her, then broke down in tears saying: “I put up with he for 17 years and this is how he repaying me.” She said she has suffered blows at the hands of the man on many occasions.

When asked by Magistrate Octive-Hamilton if she has ever reported those matters to the police, the woman responded in the negative; citing the fact that he maintains their children. The magistrate however pointed out to the defendant that the VC had no hesitation in reporting the matter against her.

Katwarrie said on many occasions her eldest son rescues her when she is being beaten by the VC; but he was not at home on the day of this incident.

The VC displayed a visible mark on his hand indicating that injury was inflicted. The presiding magistrate also questioned how the police could have charged the woman with common assault when the complainant had a mark from an injury on his hand.

When asked by the court if he hits his reputed wife, the VC said in a low tone: “well yuh know these relationships have their ups and downs.” The magistrate however firmly demanded a direct answer from the man, after which he told the court that he has slapped the woman at times in the past; but quickly added that they both get into scuffles occasionally.

The magistrate gave them a sound warning not to have cause to appear before her again, or they will be imprisoned.

In addition to the fine that Katwarrie was ordered to pay, both parties were bonded to keep the peace for six months and be of good behaviour. They were also ordered to seek counselling, a task which was given to a probation officer who was present in court.