Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

western bureau

The Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court will begin to hear evidence in the case against Michael Clarke who is charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to his common-law wife and their 11-year-old son on December 12.

The date was set when the case was mentioned on Tuesday and the court was informed that the case file was complete.

Mr. Clarke, who now resides in Granville, St. James, after he was ordered to leave the home he shared with the complainants in Fairfield Private, had his $15,000 bail extended.

He is now being represented by attorney-at-law Jacqueline Minto, while Natalie Messado holds a watching brief on behalf of the complainants.

Knife and kicks

Allegations in the matter are that on October 4, Clarke attacked his common-law wife with a kitchen knife after accusing her of cheating. The complainant ran, fell and while on the ground, was allegedly kicked several times to the abdomen.

The court heard that the woman ran and Clarke jumped onto her back. She managed to escape and ran into the house and locked the door. Further allegations are that the accused man kicked open the door and went into his son's room where he used the kitchen knife to slap the child in the face causing injury to his eye.

On the first court hearing, RM Winsome Henry, who was informed of the history of violence between the couple and the fact that Clarke had attacked the complainant on several occasions after his release from custody, ordered the accused to report to the Granville police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to stay away from the complainants.