Elton Duke, of 32 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, was on Wednesday brought before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, charged with using abusive language, threatening behaviour, threatening language, and unlawful assault against Sharmilla Roberts, so as to cause her actual bodily harm. Duke pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Police Sergeant Joel Ali reported that investigations revealed that the defendant habitually abuses his handicapped wife every time she goes after employment to better take care of their four children and by extension the home. He added that they were previous reports of similar abuse made by Roberts, though these never reached the courts.
As the charges were being read by Magistrate Moore the defendant appeared to be profoundly dumbfounded by the prosecutions chronology of events leading to his arrest and subsequent charge.
The prosecution objected to bail, noting the prevalence of matters of this nature, and that Duke may be a danger to the virtual complainant.
Magistrate Moore agreed to the prosecution’s suggestions and remanded the man to prison.
On hearing the Magistrate’s rulings, Duke wept loudly and uncontrollably as he was escorted out of the court room.