A MAN was fined $20,000 with the alternative of six months imprisonment yesterday, for calling a woman ‘big bubby’ and threatening her with a knife.
Shafeek Khan (no address given) appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson and pleaded guilty to charges of using insulting language and threatening behaviour.
Particulars of the offences said, on April 5, Khan insulted Michelle Phil and threatened her. Police Sergeant Gordon Mansfield, prosecuting, said the virtual complainant was walking on the road when the defendant approached her and called her ‘Big bubby’ and, because she ignored him, he pulled a knife on her.
The prosecutor said Phil became fearful, raised an alarm and the police went to her assistance.
Khan said he sells watches and the woman bought one from him on credit, paid half the price and promised to pay the rest when she gets money.
Khan said every time he sees her, she never has the cash and, on the day, he was in a passion when she told him she did not have any to give him.
He admitted calling her ‘Big bubby’ but denied brandishing the blade that he had on him when the police arrested him.
Phil, who was in court, broke into tears and insisted she does not know Khan whom she saw for the first time that day.
The woman said she was walking when she heard the defendant call her ‘Big bubby’ and he was about to touch her but she pulled away.
She said Khan appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and then he approached her with a knife after she paid him no attention.