Claudius Bailey leaving court today July 9, 2015. Photo: VINO

Being charged for beating his girlfriend in the head and other parts of her body with a bat, Bailey was remanded to prison on ‎June 11, 2015 and was brought back to court today July 9, 2015 for mitigation as he pleaded guilty to the charge of common assault and not guilty to the charge of using threatening language.

‎Today's mitigation was for the common assault when he made his plea to Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards. "I wish I could take back what I did but I can’t. I am asking the court to forgive me," he told the court.

He added, "I have never had any trouble with the law before. This is my first time. At the time of the incident, jealousy got the best of me.”

“I have anger problem and I am asking the court to help me in seeking counselling. I am sorry so please forgive me.”

Bailey is charged with common assault occasioning actual bodily harm and use of threatening language. He pleaded guilty to the common assault charge but not guilty to the latter which was subsequently dropped.

The court had heard during his June 11, 2015 appearance that the incident allegedly occurred sometime around 8:50 am on June 8, 2015. It was reported that the virtual complainant (VC) was about to microwave some food when her boyfriend, Bailey, started to question her about the food, and allegedly accusing her of getting it from some other man’s home. This was followed by his allegedly threatening to spit in the food.

The alleged abuse escalated, according to Crown Prosecutor Anjel Flax-Solomon, when the woman asked Bailey if he was crazy. The woman, she said, then thought it best to get out of the house but before she could have, the accused grabbed a cricket bat and allegedly hit her in the head with it.

The court was further told that the VC tried to run but fell to the floor and Bailey stood over her and allegedly said to her, “I am going to kill you today,” and continued to aggressively beat her with the bat, however, she managed to run inside the bathroom and lock herself in.

It was alleged that after some time had elapsed, the VC saw a friend and she tried to make a dash to safety but Bailey was right there and allegedly unleashed more blows to her head, forearm and right arm. She, however, made good her escape by running out of the apartment and into that of a friend’s who shielded her.

The matter was reported to police and the woman was taken to Peebles Hospital. The Prosecution said the virtual complaint received 23 stitches to the head.

For the common assault charge the man is to return on July 24, 2015 for sentencing.