Couple in assault case to go for counselling

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man, who reportedly hit his babymother with a stick, was ordered to seek counselling when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday .

Michael McKenzie of a Montego Bay address is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Sandra Edwards, who reportedly suffered injuries after he attacked her.

The allegations are that sometime in early January 2013, McKenzie punched the complainant in the head and then hit her with a stick during a dispute.

The couple had previously appeared before the court on January 16, at which time they had been instructed to attend counselling sessions together.

However, when the matter was mentioned on Monday, the court was told that Edwards, who resides in Kingston, had not attended any counselling sessions since the last court date.

"The matter was referred to counselling, (but) it appears she (Edwards) didn't understand the instructions of the court," clerk of the court Sheryl Robinson told Resident Magistrate Wilson Smith.

"Where was the referral (for counselling) made?" asked Smith.

"It would be at the probation office, but the complainant is indicating an unwillingness to proceed further with the matter," said Robinson.

"It does not matter. I don't want this problem again," said a clearly annoyed Smith prior to ordering that McKenzie and Edwards go to the probation office to arrange for counselling.

"You go to the probation office down here today. They can get in touch with their counterparts wherever you are," Smith instructed Edwards as he set May 16 as the new mention date.