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UPDATE: Denny Hodge “reports sick” for assault trial

- Magistrate issues summons for appearance, expresses concern at VC’s travel dilemma
A summons was issued for Denny Hodge after he failed to appear at the Magistrate's Court for trial on June 11, 2013. Photo:VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards expressed concern about the travel dilemma of a Virtual Complainant (VC) in an assault matter who had to travel all the way from St Croix, even as the defendant failed to present himself for trial.

Denny Hodge pleaded not guilty on July 6, 2012 to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being accused of causing his former girlfriend placenta related difficulties from an alleged fight between the two.

Hodge failed to show up in court yesterday, June 11, 2013 and sent a letter the previous day, stating that he was unwell and would be unwell on the day his trial was expected to start as well.

Senior Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin who appeared for Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham in the matter, said the VC was present and the prosecution was in a position to begin the trial once the defence was able to do the same.

Defence attorney, Stephen Daniels, expressed surprise along with the Magistrate upon receipt of the letter and apologised for his client’s absence and the inconvenience caused to the VC. Daniels said he didn’t know how his client could have possibly pre-empted his illness and found it very unusual and asked that the matter be adjourned under the circumstances.

There have been several delays in the matter for various reasons and Magistrate Richards said she would be issuing a summons for the defendant to appear in court.

Hodge, who remains on $10,000 bail, is required to be in court on July 2, 2013.

See previous story posted March 5, 2013:
 
New trial date for man accused of assault on pregnant girlfriend
 
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Denny Hodge, the man accused of causing his girlfriend placenta related discomfort following an altercation while she was pregnant, will now receive a new trial date for his matter before the Magistrate’s Court.
 
Hodge pleaded not guilty on July 6, 2012 to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
 
When the matter came before the court today, March 5, 2013, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards agreed to an adjournment date of April 12, 2013 at which time it is expected that a new date will be selected. 
 
The Virtual Complainant (VC) was present in court at the time, and it was related that she remains interested in proceeding with the matter.
 
The Crown alleged that on May 29, 2012 the defendant met the VC at the Sobrosa Restaurant located on Waterfront Drive to discuss their relationship and the status of their unborn child at the time.
 
The defendant allegedly asked the VC to go to the car with him so they can be alone. While sitting in the car the conversation got heated and she asked him to get out of the vehicle which he did.
 
As they were walking their separate ways they began to argue and the defendant allegedly walked over to the VC and pushed her. The VC then reportedly grabbed the accused by his shirt and slapped him.
 
The defendant allegedly grabbed her arm next while she tried to kick him off. While the VC’s leg was being held up in the air she reportedly began screaming for help and with one leg up in the air, later fell to the ground. While on the ground the defendant allegedly held her hands over her head.
 
She was reportedly helped off the ground by friends. However, it was stated that the couple continued to argue and the defendant allegedly slapped the VC twice in the face afterwards.
 
The VC later made a report to the police and subsequently went to Peebles Hospital where it was identified that she suffered a small disruption to the placenta while being six months pregnant at the time.
 
The defendant was placed on $10,000 bail and ordered to stay away from the VC.

16 Responses to “UPDATE: Denny Hodge “reports sick” for assault trial”

  • JACK BE STILL (05/03/2013, 14:59) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy you all need to stop beat women
  • weed (05/03/2013, 16:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    danny you can't keep out of trouble boss?
  • partner (12/06/2013, 09:10) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    actually it was man rejection and she couldn't take it.
  • carrot bay girl (12/06/2013, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Danny boss I thought this melee was done wid?
  • Pshhh (12/06/2013, 09:38) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    @ weed.. the man name is Denny... take your time and read. Also, u all reading jus assuming that he beat up the girl.. hmmm.. some woman just feel because dem is woman de can do what they hell they want to a man. Denny is not that kind of person...thats all i know
  • ann (12/06/2013, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Learning about this news puts me into hyper-depression.

  • Buff-Baff (12/06/2013, 09:57) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    The bloggers here have really missed the point. This man refused to go to court and had the balls to send the court a letter that HE WILL BE SICK on the court date. That is gross disrespect for the court. The magistrate needed to revoke bail, issue a no-bail warrant and have him arrested that same day. And on top of that, reschedule his next hearing for JUNE 11, 2014. That will give him enough time to get all the sickness he is planning to get. What he did to that pregnant woman was not gentlemanly, but now he is too much of a pu$$y to man up and face the music. I wonder why women fall for low-life guys like him; I just can't understand what these girls see in thugs.
  • Lady (12/06/2013, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (35) Reply
    "If he dont beat me, he dont love me".
    • woman to woman (12/06/2013, 12:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So sad but its so true for some of these d*m# @ss women nowadays. Smh
  • Tyso (12/06/2013, 12:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    To lady; I used to hear kittitian woman saying that ignorance when I was a child. How silly can one be
  • small head (12/06/2013, 12:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is time for Mr. Hodge to begin to think big, and gain the benefits of his capabilities
  • St. John (12/06/2013, 19:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a terrible tragedy as I know both parties


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