MARK Butters, 32, of Lot 4 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday on an unlawful assault charge.

The accusation against him, to which he pleaded not guilty, said the defendant, on January 10, unlawfully assaulted his reputed wife, Tracy Jones.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said Butters and the woman share a common law relationship and the two were going to buy food when an argument arose and he cuffed her on the face.

But Butters told the Court he is mentally ill and, because of his ailment, the virtual complainant takes advantage of him.

He said both of them are patients at the Physiatric Ward of Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) but Jones denied it.

The magistrate ordered that Butters be treated and put him on $10,000 bail until February 10.