A man accused of assaulting a woman told the court that he did it because she was spreading rumours that he engaged in oral and anal sex.

The accused, Wesley Taylor, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused pleaded guilty with explanation to a charge of assault and told the court that the complainant was constantly spreading rumours about his sex life. He said on the day in question, someone called him and told him that the complainant was talking about him.

He said he went to where the complainant was and heard her for himself saying disparaging things about him. He said he told her to stop, but she ignored him, began to get angry and spat at him, He said this was when he hit her.

Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey told the complainant that she should keep her mouth shut and refrain from damaging the accused man's character. The complainant, however, denied those reports.

Taylor was bound over in the sum of $1,000 to keep the peace with the accused and other members of his community for a year.