Man reprimanded for slapping mother of his child in ‘fit of passion’

A man who slapped the mother of his child was on Tuesday reprimanded and his matter discharged when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Quincy Evans accepted the charge that on July 27 at Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Karen Cooke, his reputed wife, causing her actual bodily harm.

However, the magistrate after examining the medical certificate presented by the virtual complainant said it did not substantiate assault causing actual bodily harm.

The prosecution’s facts stated that the defendant and Cooke, the virtual complainant [VC], were not living together.

On the day in question, the two had “a misunderstanding” over the way the defendant speaks to the VC. The defendant became annoyed and dealt the VC a slap to her face.

Cooke then reported the matter to the Ruimveldt Police Station and she was instructed to seek medical attention. She later returned with a medical certificate, and the defendant was arrested and charged.

Evans, unrepresented by counsel, told the court that at the time of the offence he was living with his reputed wife and their five-month-old son at his father’s house, where they had been dwelling for the past two years.

“On the said day I was cooking. We take turns cooking. We had an argument and Karen throw down all the food at the same time.

I get in a passion and I fired a slap and it knocked her. I told her I sorry and she seh she in wan hear duh, she going to the station and say anything for I go in jail,” Evans explained.

A teary Evans pleaded with the court for leniency, stating that “is just me alone does mind Malachi [his son].”

The magistrate said she understands that it was in the fit of passion he “lashed out”.  Evans was reprimanded and also cautioned to be of good behaviour.