JULIE Ross, 33 years, of 11th Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was yesterday placed on $150,000 bail after being accused of setting the home of her reputed husband on fire as a result of a heated argument.The story began on Sunday, August 9 at Diamond sea dam when Jermain McPherson assaulted his common-law wife Ross.
The 30-year-old miner, during his appearance before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown yesterday, accepted that he did deal Ross several slaps. He said that his wife was intoxicated after she had been drinking the whole day and she threw herself on top of him.
Ross became furious when her husband allegedly threw her off because she was drunk and she then picked up a knife and an argument ensued. He agreed that he slapped Ross, but explained that was after she pulled a knife on him.
According to the facts read by prosecutor Deniro Jones, the defendant had indicated to her husband that she wanted to move out and he held on to her and pushed her into a table while unleashing punches to her face.
After the heated argument that day, Ross set fire to McPherson’s dwelling house.
Ross was not required to plead to the charge when it was read to her by Magistrate McLennan. However the prosecutor requested that the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) be applied, after which the woman denied the act in her plea.
The facts about the fire could not have been related to the court, because the prosecutor was not in possession of the file. The magistrate released the defendant on $100,000 bail while her husband was fined $5,000. Their next court appearance is set for August 18.