EUGENE Philander, charged with assaulting his ‘step-daughter,’ yesterday appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry.

Philander, of Water Street, Kingston, pleaded to the charge which said, on August 10, he unlawfully assaulted Susan Ramdeen.

Police Sergeant Krishnadat Ramana, prosecuting, said the defendant is the virtual complainant’s ‘step-father’ and they live in the same house.

According to him, Philander requested that Ramdeen go to the shop for him but, because she was looking after her baby brother, she told him she could not go.

Ramana said Philander dealt her several lashes to her head with a bowl which caused her to receive a number of injuries.

Philander, however, told the court that Ramdeen attempted to fight with him during which she sustained the injuries.

The Magistrate placed Philander on a bond to keep the peace for one year and ordered a probation report pending sentence on Friday. Meanwhile, he was released on $30,000 bail.