Carpenter denies battering wife

A Campbellville carpenter was on Friday granted bail after denying that he brutalised his common-law wife.

It is alleged that on July 5, at Lot 7 Craig Street, Campbellville, Ray Albert Charles, 47, unlawfully assaulted Ashanti Devonish. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, when it was read to him by Magistrate Renita Singh in a city court.

Charles’ lawyer said the man and Devonish live together, as they are in a common-law relationship and they share a two-month-old child.

Police prosecutor Suraj Singh had no objections to bail being granted to Charles but told the court that it should be a substantial amount. According to Singh, on the day in question, Charles and Devonish had an argument and he slapped her several times in the face and head. He said the matter was then reported.

Magistrate Singh subsequently set bail at $20,000 and adjourned the matter until July 25.