Friendship man reprimanded for assaulting wife over text message

A Friendship man was yesterday reprimanded and placed on a bond for a year after he was charged with assaulting his reputed wife over a text message from a taxi driver.

The court heard that Compton Higgins, 27, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, on December 27, at Friendship, assaulted Bernadina O’Neil. Higgins, a father of one, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The court was told that Higgins dealt O’Neil several slaps and cuffs to her face after he found a message on her phone.

Higgins eventually admitted to the court that he slapped his reputed wife over a text message which stated “enjoy your night” that came from a taxi driver.

Because it was the first time Higgins had slapped O’Neil, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan reprimanded and discharged the accused and placed him on a 12-month bond to keep the peace.