TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-Old Joel Norton, of Lot 73/74 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, charged with unlawfully assaulting his younger sister, Esther Norton, last May 13.
But, although the defendant pleaded not guilty, Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunte, prosecuting, requested that the case be postponed to a later date.
The prosecutor based his request on a plea by Norton’s mother, Patricia Norton, for her son to be sent for psychiatric evaluation.
Hunte had said, earlier, that the virtual complainant was sitting on a bed when her brother squeezed her by the neck and lifted her off it.
In answer to the court, the defendant said his sister was misbehaving and he scolded her with two lashes.
He said he is a very high spirited person and has been having some strange experiences in his mother’s house.
The defendant was referred to the Observation Ward of Georgetown Public Hospital to be evaluated until July 15.  (N. Low-a-Chee)