A 40-year-old labourer who assaulted his ex-girlfriend and mother of two of his three children — all of whom are minors — avoided a 12-month jail sentence at the Colonarie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Instead, Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs bonded Lesroy Lavia and ordered that he pay compensation to the virtual complainant, Samantha Lavia.
The court, which sat at Georgetown, heard that the relationship between the two ended three years ago.
However, on June 16 about 9: 55 p.m., Samantha was at the London Playing Field in Sandy Bay, with friends when Lesroy approached and began arguing with her.
Samantha walked away but Lesroy followed her.
As Samantha got to the entrance of the playing field, Lesroy boxed her on the left side of the face.
Samantha fell to the ground and had to be assisted by people. She also sustained bruises to the neck and face.
Corporal of Police 860 Cobbler charged the defendant with assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.
In mitigation, Lesroy, who pleaded guilty to the charge, told the court, “I’m sorry for what I have done to Samantha Lavia. Real sorry”
The magistrate said that the offence included an element of domestic violence and attracts a maximum of five years imprisonment in the magistrate’s court.
She however bonded the defendant for eight months in the sum of EC$800. If he breaches the bond, he must pay the sum forthwith or go to prison for eight months.
Jacobs also ordered compensation of EC$400 to be paid in two months or three months in prison.