By Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU
A ST. JAMES man is now counting his lucky stars, after he was fined instead of jailed for physically assaulting his wife of 21 years.
Resident Magistrate, Wilson Smith, on Wednesday ordered Neville McCalla to pay a fine of $60,000 or serve six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.
During the hearing, the wife told the RM that her husband needs counselling and professional help to deal with his attitude. However, she said she wanted to continue with the relationship.
The facts were that on October 14, the couple reached home about 7:30 p.m. and their house was in darkness. It is said that Mr. McCalla started to make a fuss about the fact that the lights were off.
His wife ignored him and later that night, she heard noises coming from a section of the house. When she went to investigate, her husband accosted her and began punching her.
BACK INJURY
The wife was also kicked and a chair was thrown at her, which injured her back.
Further information is that she used an ice pick to wound him but he managed to take the weapon from her and then threatened to stab her with it. Mrs. McCalla reportedly called out to their son for help and he in turn alerted the Mount Salem police.
In his defence, Mr. McCalla denied kicking his wife and stated that they were in a tussle when they both fell on the ground.
His argument was not enough to convince RM Smith who told him he was lucky that he was not being sent to prison.
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to