The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN was placed on six-months probation by a Magistrate’s Court after assaulting his girlfriend at a nightclub.

Liam Francis, 22, appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on assault charges.

At 2am on May 22 at the Bond Nightclub in Baha Mar, Francis is accused of assaulting Shawnelle Nixon, his girlfriend of two and a half years.

After an argument broke out between the couple the accused is said to have slapped her, pulled her hair and dragged her on the floor of the club.

In court Francis pleaded guilty to the charge.

Francis’s defence then claimed that the complainant was the one who had started the fight.

While they acknowledged that Francis was intoxicated during the incident, they said it was Nixon who went to the club demanding answers from the accused as to why he was there.

The defence further claimed that the complainant hit Francis first and that photos of the injuries he received existed.

As part of their plea of mitigation Francis’ attorney said that his client was remorseful and up to this point had a clean record.

In view of the accused’s youth and desire to finish his Business degree at UB the defence implored the Magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence. As he cited Francis’s 36 hours in custody as punishment enough.

Considering this the Magistrate placed Francis on six months probation. If he does not breach his probation, he will be eligible for an absolute discharge when he returns to court on November 28.

Magistrate Allen concluded the matter by advising Francis that it would be in his best interest to avoid contact with the complainant to which his defence said that she had already tried to contact him.