By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to attend anger management courses by a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admitting to assaulting his female business partner.

Marthial Paul, 37, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on charges of threats of death and assault.

On June 25 in New Providence the accused reportedly threatened and assaulted his business partner, Shamatie Lockhart.

Paul pleaded guilty to the offences.

The accused told the magistrate that on the day of the incident he and Lockhart, who together sell children’s clothing, started arguing in the car. It was during this drive that Ms Lockhart allegedly poked him in the arm for not speaking to her, which caused the argument to heat up and caused Paul to lose his temper and put his hands on her.

Lockhart then said it was only after the complainant got out of the vehicle that things got physical he yelled at her to get back in the car, going so far as to curse her to do so.

The accused had no prior convictions and immediately admitted the offence to the police.

He also admitted to being in a relationship with her.

However, after this recent incident he indicated that he is uncertain of their current status.

In addition to Paul admitting that his actions were a poor choice, he accepted Magistrate Serville’s offer to seek help to manage his anger.

As a result he was placed on conditional discharge where he is to attend anger management courses at the CCAC during his six-months probation.

Should Paul default on these conditions or the court receive an unsatisfactory report at the end of the classes, his conviction will be recorded. The accused would also face two weeks in remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The accused is to return to court for mention on December 6.