Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne spoke of the effects that excessive consumption of alcohol by a family member can have on that family.
Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne has warned a 40-year-old Belair resident that his drinking problem was hurting those close to him, and could have serious repercussions for him and his love ones.
Hollie Shortte had appeared before the Serious Offences Court, after being charged with assaulting his common-law wife – Rochelle John of Belair, with intent to commit an offence.
He was also charged with, that without lawful excuse, he damaged one 3×3 glass and aluminum window valued at EC$300, two glass and wooden doors valued at EC$500, and one black T-shirt valued at EC$30, the property of Rochelle John.
Both offences reportedly occurred at Belair on October 24.
Shortte pleaded not guilty to both charges, but John indicated to the Court that she did not want to proceed further with the matter. She said Shortte was her common-law husband. They resided in the same house, but one lives upstairs and the other downstairs. She has four children, including one for the defendant.
John said Shortte becomes a problem when he consumes alcohol, “When he drink he does get on ‘stewpid’,” she said.
“Why are you drinking? You cannot handle that substance,” the Chief Magistrate told the defendant.
“When you drink is a problem, and it is hurting love ones around you, whether physically or emotionally. You might not be doing it with a view to becoming enraged, but that is what is happening. It is destroying your family, and when it (alcohol) is cleared, you are sorry,” Browne told Shortte.
When questioned by the Magistrate, John, in tears, said she did not want her boyfriend to go to jail.
But the Magistrate told her, “Sometimes they need a short sharp shock. They get good meals round there (jail).”
She told Shortte he was free to go, but warned, “You are hurting people, and that does not make you a man.”
Browne added that if he was hurt, and his common-law wife was hurt, their children will be hurt, and they in turn could hurt others.
Browne recommended counselling for Shortte and John, and told them to wait outside the Court room so that she could make the necessary arrangements, following the Court’s adjournment.
Shortte is alleged to have raised a hammer at the head of his common-law wife.