– Rupununi man tells court reason he assaulted & threatened his wife was because of the recent floods
A man, who resides in the Rupununi, appeared in court yesterday on charges of assaulting his reputed wife, threatening her and behaving disorderly at the Lethem Police Station.

But the Rupununi resident blamed the recent flooding for his actions .
Collin Kowlesar appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to unlawfully assaulting his reputed wife, Sharon John, and threatening her on June 22.
These two charges were dismissed against the defendant since the virtual complainant did not want to offer evidence against the defendant.
Defence Counsel Mr. Vic Puran represented the defendant and told the court that his client never had any trouble with the law before. He said his client was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Puran further told the court that his client does not usually drink alcohol and it was only recently, after the heavy flooding in his area, that he began drinking, since he lost substantial assets.
Kowlesar pleaded guilty to the other charge of disorderly behaviour at the Lethem Police station on June 22 and was fined $25,000 or two weeks imprisonment. (Nathalene DeFreitas)