Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday decided to proceed with hearing an assault charge against a man accused of kicking his girlfriend, who the court will compel to testify after she tried to have the case dismissed.
The allegation against Devon Allicock, 21, of 33 James Street, Albouystown, is that on May 10 at Georgetown he unlawfully assaulted Deoranie Suknandan. Allicock was also arraigned on a disorderly behaviour charge, based on the allegation that on June 3, at the Ruimveldt Police Station, he behaved disorderly.
Allicock, who denied both charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was remanded to prison.
The unrepresented construction worker, who was eager to speak when the case was called, said “it was a lil misunderstanding we had, but she [Suknandan] ain’t want no story.”
Allicock, who repeatedly insisted that Suknandnan wished to discontinue the proceedings, was firmly warned to be quiet by the Magistrate, who questioned Suknandan about the claims.
Under questioning, a visibly-shaken Suknandan, who glanced periodically at Allicock in the prisoners’ dock, said that the reports she made against him were false. This caused the magistrate to immediately explain to the woman that filing a false report against someone was a criminal offence, for which she can be charged.
Magistrate Latchman then ordered Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt to ensure that a thorough investigation into the merit of what the complainant had revealed is done and that the necessary legal action be taken against Suknandan if her story is in fact true.
According to Suknandan, who by this time appeared unsettled and spoke in a tearful voice, she was forced by family members to make the police report against her boyfriend. When asked by the court if he had kicked her, she responded in the negative. According to her, they were in a scuffle and she hit her head. At this point, Suknandan began a spate of slurred utterances, while saying that she felt as if she was going to faint. As a result, the magistrate caused a chair to be provided to her.
From the witness box, Suknandan subsequently testified that she no longer wanted to offer evidence against Allicock and that no one was forcing her not to proceed with the matter. She made that decision of her own free will, she said.
Prosecutor Hunt said that in light of the complainant’s testimony, the prosecution could not proceed further.
Magistrate Latchman, however, cautioned that a complainant can be compelled to give evidence and that in the circumstances, the court would so compel Suknandan to give evidence in the matter and the prosecution will proceed with its case against Allicock.
Hunt objected to Allicock being granted his pre-trial liberty on the grounds that he may interfere with the complainant and may also attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Upon hearing the court’s ruling that her boyfriend would be remanded to prison, Suknandan frantically broke into tears, sobbing uncontrollably and begging the court not to remand him. She said that she lost her mother a few days ago and today is the funeral.
Having heard that he will be remanded to prison, a visibly angry Allicock kept uttering “she seh she ain’t want no story no more, suh me ain’t know wah is dis, dis is nah justice” as he was being escorted of the courtroom.
The matter was transferred to Court Ten for June 17.
