Villa resident remanded on charges of trespassing on his ex’s property

A MAN FROM Villa who admitted to trespassing on the property of his ex- girlfriend has been bonded and also remanded for one week as the court decides whether to grant him bail on his other similar charges.

Amare Nichols, a 36 year old resident of Villa appeared in the Serious Offences Court on September 23 before Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne to answer to three charges. The defendant was charged that on September 21, he entered the property of the complainant, a resident of Walvaroo as a trespasser by going into her porch with intent to commit an offence by intimidation. His second charge was that on September 23, he entered the property of the complainant, a resident of Walvaroo as a trespasser by going into her porch with intent to commit an offence by intimidation. The defendant’s third charge was that, without lawful excuse, he damaged one glass and aluminium window valued at $500.00, the property of the virtual complainant intending to damage such property.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charge of damaging the glass and aluminium window, but pleaded guilty to the other two charges.

During the reading of the facts of the case, it was revealed that the defendant knows the virtual complaint very well as they were in a common law relationship.

However, this relationship ended because the defendant refused to help the virtual complainant financially and she asked him to leave, but he refused to do so.

The virtual complainant then contacted the police for assistance and she also applied to the Family Court for a restraining order.

However, this didn’t stop Nichols from visiting her home on September 21. At around 8:00 a.m the woman was at home when she heard someone knocking on her house door and calling her name. She looked out a window, saw the defendant and asked him to leave her property, but he refused to do so.

The defendant said that he thought the two of them were going “okay”. He further claimed that they still had “dealings” although she was trying to give the impression that he was harassing her.

The magistrate highlighted the multiple reports that were made against him, as well as the protection order that was requested (such an order is sought when there is some sort of intimidation or discomfort). Browne pointed out that something wasn’t right, and the relationship could not be all “honey”.

The magistrate placed Nichols on a $1,000 bond. If he breaks this bond he will be required to immediately pay the $1,000 or spend six months in prison.

In relation to the two other charges, the prosecution objected to bail as the virtual complainant expressed fear. They submitted that the defendant also has a habit of pelting stones and that he also was previously instructed by a different magistrate to stay away from the virtual complainant.

The magistrate then remanded the defendant until September 29, in order for the prosecution to provide the necessary documentation that would put her in a position to decide whether or not to grant bail to Nichols.