Teen fined for slamming ex-girlfriend’s head against wall

A teenager who slammed his ex-girlfriend’s head against a wall, causing her to bleed from her ear, has been placed on a six-month bond by the court.{{more}}

Akeem Barbour, 18, of Old Montrose, was found guilty on Tuesday at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court of the charge of assault with bodily harm on Gianna Miller, a student at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias, who had kept Barbour in custody for one night to reserve her sentence, on Wednesday also ordered him to pay compensation of $350 by next Wednesday, or spend one month in jail.

If Barbour breaks the bond, which was set at $1,500, he will go to prison for six months.

During her testimony on Tuesday, Miller told the court that on March 13, 2014, at about 7 p.m, she was walking in the area of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on Melville Street, when she was confronted by Barbour.

“I met him (Barbour) and his friends under KFC and I proceeded to cross the street where Bickles used to be. He was calling me and I ignored him and he followed me,” Miller recounted.

She said she continued walking, and when she got to the area of the Kingstown Methodist Church, as she was about to cross the street, Barbour held on to her hand, pulled her back and slammed her head against a wall.

“He started arguing and his friends, who were walking in front, came back to where we were and told him to cool out, but he told them to leave,” Miller stated.

Miller also sustained bruises to her face.

The matter was reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Barbour was subsequently arrested.

Barbour who was unrepresented, elected to stand by the statement he gave to the police, rather than testify in court.

In his statement, Barbour said while standing in the KFC area, Miller bumped into him. He said he only slammed her against the wall, after she had slapped him.

“You are too young to start this. We don’t tend to look at the picture and see the bigger damage that is being caused,” Browne-Matthias said, as she delivered her sentence on Wednesday.

“I really don’t like the injuries Gianna suffered. I really don’t like anything interfering with the head and ear; that affects our balance. The only reason I am not sending you to jail is because of your age,” a visibly upset Browne-Matthias continued.

Following his conviction, Barbour had to publicly apologize to Miller for his actions in the presence of a packed courtroom.(KW)