Man bonded, ordered to pay compensation for boxing his girlfriend over little rice, no meat

A Green Hill man who boxed his girlfriend in the eye and about her body because she left a small portion of rice with no meat for him to eat, was ordered to compensate her and was also placed on a bond.

Keran Williams, 29, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Tammika Mckenzie yesterday, April 22, 2024 where he pleaded guilty that on April 20, 2024, at Green Hill, he assaulted Dariel Cunningham of Green Hill causing actual bodily harm.

The facts read that Williams and Cunningham were in a relationship for four years, in which they produced one child who is currently 11 months old. On the date in question, Cunningham was at home when Williams returned and enquired whether she had cooked; she responded in the affirmative.

He went to check for the food and found a small portion of cooked rice without any meat. This upset him and an argument ensued between him and Cunningham. Williams then rolled his fist and boxed Cunningham in her right eye and about her body. Cunningham sustained injuries to her right eye. While she was being attacked, Cunningham was able to push Williams away and run to a relative’s house for safety.

Williams ran behind her, but his father interceded, stopped him, then scolded him for his actions. Cunningham reported the matter to the police and Constable Dennie entertained the report. On the following day the officer met Williams and informed him of the report he was investigating. He was cautioned and interviewed in the presence of another police officer.

Williams gave a statement admitting to the offence; he was later charged. Williams’ caution statement which was read in court stated, “This not the first time I’m getting physical with her”, and that he “felt guilty” about his actions. He also said that he was willing to pay Cunningham’s medical expenses.

“I just want to apologise to my baby mother…I feel sorry about what I do to her,” Williams told the court, adding that while they have gotten into physical altercations before, “this is the farthest it ever reach”.

“Your hands were not made to go on her or any other woman,” Senior Magistrate Mckenzie told Williams.

When Cunningham, who had what appeared to be swelling in the area of her right eye was asked if she accepts her now ex-boyfriend’s apology, she responded in the negative. Cunningham said she and her family, as well as Williams’ family are now estranged as a result of her relationship with Williams. Cunningham told the court that she sought medical attention at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and she did not receive a bill for the service.

Lawyer, Grant Connell, who was not representing anyone in this matter suggested that Cunningham seeks further medical attention for her eye at a private doctor, and the Senior Magistrate agreeing, adding that Williams should pay this expense.

Prosecutor, Corlene Samuel said that Williams had no antecedents.

Mckenzie ordered Williams to compensate Cunningham $1000 in one months in default of which he will be imprisoned for three weeks.

He was to pay $200 before 3:00 p.m yesterday, the default sentence was placed at three days imprisonment. Williams was also bonded in the sum of $1500 with one surety, in default of which he will spend three months behind bars.