Court orders reluctant reputed wife to attend counselling  
MAGISTRATE Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday ordered counselling for a man and his reputed wife after dismissing an assault charge against him. Gary Williams (no address given) had pleaded not guilty to having unlawfully assaulted Ceralene Blackett on March 27 but the virtual complainant told the court she did not wish to offer evidence against the defendant and begged for the case to be dismissed.
In answer to the magistrate, Blackett said it was not the first time she was struck by the defendant but on the previous occasion she was only slapped once.
The magistrate then enquired from her, repeatedly, if she was sure about not testifying and Blackett answered in the affirmative, stating that the defendant did not do her anything.
She said on the day in question, he was under the influence of alcohol and had a hammer in his hand and she called the police because she did not know what he intended to do with it.
The magistrate told Blackett she should thank God she is in court to tell the story and warned her that she might not be as fortunate to relate another incident.
The virtual complainant was then compelled to pay $25,000 court costs and the case was dismissed.