Private school head charged with assaulting, threatening to kill wife

ABC Academy Principal Bernard Chandra was today charged and placed on $40,000 bail after he allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill his wife.

Chandra pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which accused him of unlawfully assaulting Patricia Chandra on September 4 at Bel Air Park and also using threatening language towards her on May 6 at the same place.

Chandra told the court that he is 53 years old and resides between Lot 56 New Market Street and Lot 23 Bel Air Park. He added that he is the principal of the ABC Academy School.

When asked by Magistrate Judy Latchman whether he had any pending matters, he stated that he only had a property matter in court.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt told the court that on September 4, Patricia Chandra gave the accused his food but he threw the plate of food onto her head.

Previously, Hunt added, on May 6, during an argument, Bernard Chandra threatened to kill his wife. He added that after the September 4 incident, Bernard Chandra was arrested and charged. The accused, however, said that he was never arrested by the police.

When given a chance to speak, the virtual complainant said she was very happy that the matter will be resolved for the sake of her children. She added that she is ready to give evidence in the matter.

The prosecutor did not object to bail being granted and the magistrate granted Bernard Chandra bail in the sum of $10,000 on the common assault charge and $30,000 on the threatening language charge.

The VC then asked Magistrate Latchman whether it was possible for her to request some protection from her husband for her safety.

Magistrate Latchman told her to go to the clerk at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and file a restraining order.