A man who entered a church along with his dog, assaulted a woman and interrupted the worship service has been ordered to pay EC$1,700 in fines by May 12 or go to prison.
“I was intoxicated, I can’t remember. I have no memory,” the man, Intiad Gordon, who lives next to the church, told the court in mitigation.
Gordon, 48, pleaded guilty before magistrate Kaywana Jacobs at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to a charge that on March 21, at New Chapmans, Georgetown, he assaulted Veronica Moore, of Chilli Village, causing actual bodily harm.
He also pleaded guilty that he caused a disturbance to the religious proceedings at the St. Phillip’s Spiritual Baptist Church at New Chapmans.
The court heard that about 8 p.m. on March 21, Moore, a member of the church, was standing at the back of the auditorium when Gordon and his dog entered.
Gordon hit Moore to the front of the head saying, “You are the devil!”
The worship was halted as Gordon continued his tirade.
The police were summoned and Gordon was met outside the church in the public road.
In mitigation, Gordon, who had no previous conviction, told the court: “Your honour, have some mercy on me. That’s all I can say. If you can charge me a fine.”
In the assault charge, the magistrate fined Gordon EC$500 to be paid by April 14 or three months in prison.
He also has to pay compensation of EC$600 by April 23 or face a six-month prison term.
For disturbing the lawful assembly of religious worship, the court fined Gordon EC$500 to be paid by May 12 or spend three months in prison.
“Behave yourself!” the magistrate told Gordon.
Interesting call by the magistrate!
Amazing, if you don’t pay you go to prison ?? But if you where found with a gun and ammunition you might get bail ???? Wonder who people will blame for this decision ???