BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A man, twice charged for beating the woman with whom he was living, was yesterday (June 20) found guilty and this morning ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
Trevor Primus of Fry's Village appeared yesterday before Her Worship Josephine Mallalieu-Webbe at the Basseterre Magistrate’s Court on two counts of battery committed against Justine Williams of Molineux, who at the time was living with the accused.
According to the facts read in court, while Williams was among some friends at the Potential Bar on Cayon Street sometime between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2011, Primus turned up at the venue and beckoned her to go to him.
Williams, in a statement to the police, said she told him that she was coming but instead continued conversing with her friends.
She added that Primus became upset and said, “You ain’t hear me call you long time?”
Primus then drew closer and punched her in the face, which caused her to fall on her knees. He followed up by punching her in the stomach and kicking her to various parts of the body.
The court was told that a police officer, who was present at the scene, intervened, arrested Primus and subsequently charged him.
On the second count, the court was told that at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011, Williams had left the Fry's Village home she had shared with Primus to purchase something in the shop and had returned at about 4:00 p.m.
On arrival home, Primus confronted her on the verandah and said, “A send you to buy potato and you just a come back?” to which she replied, “You know how woman be…they like to shop.”
Primus held Williams’ hand, took her to their bedroom and started to beat her.
The court was told that a neighbour had called the police, who, on arrival at the scene, found Primus beating Williams.
He was arrested and taken to the Basseterre police Station where he was charged.
At yesterday’s hearing, Primus pleaded guilty to both charges and returned this morning to court for sentencing.
Her Lordship, in the presence of a representative from the Health Department, ordered that Primus has to perform 50 hours of community service; 25 hours on each count.
She also ordered that should he not complete the hours within two weeks or be disrespectful to anyone while performing the service, he would be sentenced to serve one month in jail on each count.
Additionally, the Chief Magistrate issued a restraining order against Primus, whereby he must not be within 100 feet of Williams, her place of work and her home.
Further, he must not make any phone calls to her.
