A 50-year-old pastor found himself before the wrong congregation on Thursday when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman charged for assaulting his wife whom he claimed was unfaithful to him.

Pastor Hansel Calisto, who is also a chain- saw operator, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on August 13, 2018, at Bus Park, Port Kaituma, he unlawfully assaulted his wife, Della Calisto. It is further alleged that he also made use of threatening language.
Calisto told the court: “I plead not guilty, it is just an allegation” as he denied the charges. The father of seven told the court that he and his wife have been married for close to 27 years.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris told the court that on August 13, Hansel, while the couple was being consoled by a welfare officer, held onto his wife and burst the strap of her handbag.

He then grabbed the woman by her hand and pushed her down into the streets.
The pastor told the court that his wife was being unfaithful to him and he caught her in the arms of another man on the day in question at the bus park.

He also told the court that his wife left the house leaving him with the kids.
The pastor was released on $20,000 bail for the assault charge and $10,000 for the other charge.

The matter was transferred to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for August 22.