A woman, although badly beaten by her boyfriend, asked the judge not to send him to jail, yesterday.

The complainant, who claims she will never forget what happened to her, said she was satisfied with being compensated for her medical expenses. She also said she did not want the incident to happen again. However, presiding resident magistrate, Glen Brown, said he could not guarantee that the accused, Adrian Gabbidon, would not attack her again.

Allegations are that the complainant and the accused were at home when she received a call from her cousin. When the accused, who enquired who was calling did not get to speak with the cousin to confirm this, he became angry and an argument developed between the two. The accused, allegedly, used a knife to hit her in the head, squeezed her throat, wrapped a fan cord around her throat and threw her off the bed, causing bruises and injuries.

The complainant then made a report to the police and the accused was arrested and charged. When the matter was mentioned in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

He told the court that he hit her because he was jealous. "All of this caused by jealously because I am in love with this young lady," he said.

He told the court that there will not be a recurrence. "I love her and this will never happen again," he said.

Although the complainant's medical bills amounted to $3,500, Gabbidon was ordered to pay $15,000 for the accused woman's pain and suffering. After he gave her the money, the judge cautioned the complainant against giving back the money to the accused. A no order was then made in the matter.