The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with causing harm to his sister after she attempted to kick him out of their shared home.

Dominic Smith, 36, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans in connection with an incident on February 7 at Winder’s Terrace.

The argument with his sister Tina Bodie, escalated into him grabbing her and pushing her against the wall, causing her to hit her head.

In court, Smith pleaded guilty to the charges against him, but explained the situation to the magistrate.

While he admitted to having grabbed his sister, he said he only did so after finding all his belongings outside their home when he returned from work at the behest of his elder sister, Tedranique Bodie.

He said he only resorted to violence against his sister when she provoked him by cursing him out.

He has since apologised for his actions and conceded to his sisters’ wishes to leave their home, which belongs to their uncle, who permitted all his nieces and nephews to live there.

Smith further explained that he wanted to leave the situation behind him as he has since found an alternative living arrangement and only wishes to return to work so he can raise his young daughter.

When the magistrate asked Smith why his sisters wanted to kick him out of the house, he said that it was because they believed he wasn’t doing any work for the home.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans cautioned Smith that he should never resort to violence, especially against women.

The magistrate then told him to apologise to his sister again. The case against him was then discharged.

Smith has since been released from custody.

In a separate case, a woman withdrew assault and threats of harm charges against her ex-boyfriend.

Jipcho Brennen, 21, of Turtle Drive, faced these charges after allegedly threatening and assaulting his former girlfriend on February 2.

While Brennen was in court before Magistrate Vogt-Evans, the complainant asked to have the charges against him officially dropped.

When asked if she had been coerced into making this decision, she said she had come to this choice of her own free will. She was further cautioned that once she dropped the charges, she could no longer bring Brennen to court on these matters in the future.

As a result, the charges against Brennen were officially withdrawn.