A 40-year-old joiner on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh charged with unlawful assault and using abusive language. 

It is alleged that Colin De Souza of Lot 15 Hadfield Street, Lodge, on January 6, 2015, in Stabroek Market unlawfully assaulted Alesha Moontaz and on the said day also used abusive language to her.
The facts read that on the said date around 1600hrs, in Stabroek Market, De Souza approached Moontaz from behind and assaulted her with an object. He also uttered expletives to her and she reported the matter at the police outpost in the area. As a result, De Souza was arrested and charged.
The defendant who was unrepresented by counsel pleaded guilty to the offence, but explained that he had been joking with the victim who did not like it and reported him to the police.
He was fined $7,000 for the unlawful assault and $5000 for using abusive language.