She had to make a choice – a word in the affirmative would have seen her husband remanded to HMP Dodds.
But after having her suggestion that Christopher Lloyd Yearwood be sent to rehab facility Verdun House turned down, Yearwood’s wife eventually consented to him being granted bail when both of them appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Yearwood, a 43-year-old freighter, of St Stephen’s Hill, Black Rock, St Michael, was charged with assaulting wife Heerawattie, occasioning her actual bodily harm, on March 19. He had denied the charge and prosecutor Station Sergeant Samuel Hinds had objected to his being released.
The prosecutor explained that a protection order had been taken out against the accused in January, and the charge would suggest that “he needs to be kept in a place where he can be kept to himself”.
The complainant, who had to be allowed time to compose herself, told the court she had numerous complaints at Black Rock Police Station, as well as matters before Courts Nos. 1 and 2, for her husband.
“I don’t know. I live with this man for 13 years. Everybody that pass cross, everything he making a problem,” she said, as she detailed issues she was having with her daughter and the alleged acts of her husband on March 19.
She also accused him of smoking marijuana.
But the accused countered, saying the woman wanted him “lock up”.
“She want me out of the place. I have not touched Ms Yearwood. When the police charge me, she didn’t even have a form from the doctor. She is so very unreasonable,” he told the court.
Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sergeant then turned to the complainant and asked her if she wanted her husband to be sent to HMP Dodds, as the prosecution was suggesting.
“They can’t send him to Verdun House?” she asked, as she trembled in the dock.
“No ma’am,” the magistrate replied.
“Verdun House? For what?” the husband interjected.
“There is a protection order that is still current. The prosecution is asking for your husband to be remanded. Do you want him to be remanded or do you want him to go home?” the magistrate again asked.
“Why you won’t change your attitude?” the woman burst out.
“I gine change,” her husband replied, “’cause as soon as I leave, I want nothing more to do with you. I am seeking a divorce.
“I helped you and you haven’t even looked in my direction. If I have to go up for the protection order, I will, but as soon as I come out I want nothing more to do with you.
“This is what you repay me with? You sending me to jail? I am going to take the time but after today, this relationship is over. Thanks very much, Ms Yearwood. Thank you very much,” he said as he sank into the dock and wiped his eyes.
When asked for a third time, the woman finally shook her head in the negative that she did not want her husband remanded.
“I am warning the two of you to keep the peace and to be of good behaviour,” Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant said as she released the man with a surety of $2 000.
He returns to court on April 13. (HLE)
