`I have forgiven him’ –woman refuses to offer evidence in domestic violence case

“I have forgiven him and I think he just needs counselling,” Ariana Caesar told the court yesterday as she refused to offer any evidence against the man charged with assaulting her while also dismissing applying for a protection order.

Magistrate Annette Singh, before whom the matter was called at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was then forced to dismiss the case against Ronaldo Bourne, who had been charged with assaulting Caesar, the mother of his children, on January 12.

Caesar was advised to file for a protection order, but she refused and requested to attend counselling instead.

“Everybody makes mistakes,” the woman told the court, indicating that she had forgiven Bourne and wanted him to be counselled.

Magistrate Singh then placed both Bourne and Caesar on a bond to keep the peace and ordered them to seek counselling at Help and Shelter.

Meanwhile, Anthony Corte who was also charged with assaulting a woman was able to leave court on his own recognizance after he indicated that he had already paid station bail and could not afford the additional sum.

Corte denied that on January 11, at 154 Cooper Street, Albouystown, he unlawfully assaulted Karen Haywood.

There was no objection to bail which was set at $15,000. However when Corte was told of the amount, he asked the magistrate why he was being placed on bail a second time.

He said his sister had paid station bail of $10,000 and he did not have the means to source $15,000.

Additionally, he assured the court of his willingness to return for trial since he was innocent of the charge. “Is the woman bore me, then she gone to the station and tell the police that I bore she and making allegations against me, I will return to court for trial, my worship,” Corte stated.

He was released on self-bail and ordered to return to court on January 28.