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UPDATE: Guyanese goes free on assault charges

The Crown decided to offer no further evidence against Guyanese national, Isaac Ragnauth following his successful completion of the Partnership for Peace Programme. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Court dismissed all charges against Guyanese national Isaac Ragnauth today, June 7, 2013 following his successful completion of the Partnership for Peace programme.

Ragnauth faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

According to court reports, on April 30, 2012 around 1:30 P.M., the VC was handed over a grocery list left by her estranged husband at her work place, and when she contacted him they discussed the expenditure of monies for the business.

Subsequently, the duo had another conversation about money at Mala’s West Indian Delight where Ragnauth allegedly demanded a detailed account of how monies were being spent.

“As a result an argument ensued and Ragnauth went to the back room that has surveillance monitoring for the business and where he sleeps,” Crown Counsel Janice Stoutt informed the court. “He then told the VC that she could not enter the back room but she told him that she had rights because she also pays the rent.”

It is there the alleged assault took place.

The father of two allegedly pushed the VC in her chest and she retaliated by pushing him back. The court heard that Ragnuath then allegedly begun to hit the woman repeatedly in the head with his fists. She in turn held him by the neck.

“He then pushed her in her chest and she fell on the bed and the VC kicked him in the right knee. He left the room… the VC received injuries to her right arm, the back of her neck and head,” Crown Counsel Stoutt added.

Senior Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin said the Crown would offer no further evidence in the matter against Ragnauth.

The Virtual Complainant, who was also present in court today, reportedly indicated no intention of continuing with the prosecution of the matter even though the trial had already started.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards then told the defendant he was free to go.

See previous story posted October 16, 2013:

Assault case involving Guyanese couple rescheduled 

- Court told lead prosecutor absent due to bereavement in family

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The matter of Isaac Ragnauth has now been rescheduled due to a recent bereavement in the family of Crown Counsel Janice Stoutt, the lead prosecutor in the case.

Crown Counsel Leslie-Ann Faulkner expressed today October 16, 2012 that Ms Stoutt was unable to attend court because of the death of a close relative and, under the circumstances, the Crown would be seeking a new date in the matter.

Mr Ragnauth is currently facing charges of alleged assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his wife, Parbatei Ragnauth, to which he pleaded not guilty. 

Mrs Ragnauth, the Virtual Complainant (VC) in the matter, told the court on August, 29, 2012 that she no longer wished to continue with the case; to which the court interjected to explain that the decision was not up to her.

While being questioned under oath by Crown Counsel Janice Stoutt, Mrs Ragnaugth told the court that she doesn’t remember the incident in detail and didn’t want to press charges any longer.

In light of this, Magistrate Tamia Richards had suggested that the Crown refresh the VC’s memory with the police statement she gave regarding the incident.

In response, the VC then told the court that she forgot her reading glasses at home and was unable to read the statement. She further stated that she had no intention of continuing with the case after which she expressed that the matter was taking a toll on her children.

Magistrate Richards then addressed the VC and informed her that she was perverting the course of justice, and whether the matter continues or not, it was not her decision but the court’s to make.

According to court reports, on April 30, 2012 around 1:30 P.M., the VC was handed over a grocery list left by her estranged husband at her work place, and when she contacted him they discussed the expenditure of monies for the business.

Subsequently, the duo had another conversation about money at Mala’s West Indian Delight where Ragnauth allegedly demanded a detailed account of how monies were being spent.

“As a result an argument ensued and Ragnauth went to the back room that has surveillance monitoring for the business and where he sleeps,” Crown Counsel Stoutt informed the court. “He then told the VC that she could not enter the back room but she told him that she had rights because she also pays the rent.”

It is there the alleged assault took place.

The father of two allegedly pushed the VC in her chest and she retaliated by pushing him back. The court heard that Ragnuath then allegedly begun to hit the woman repeatedly in the head with his fists. She in turn held him by the neck.

“He then pushed her in her chest and she fell on the bed and the VC kicked him in the right knee. He left the room… the VC received injuries to her right arm, the back of her neck and head,” Crown Counsel Stoutt added.

A report was made to the Police Station on separate occasions by the estranged couple.

The matter will now be heard on November 28, 2012.

18 Responses to “UPDATE: Guyanese goes free on assault charges”

  • ann (16/10/2012, 14:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    look he face like he aint got a care in the world
    • my my (16/10/2012, 16:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      maybe he do not...lol
    • ? (16/10/2012, 22:18) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ANN,

      NEVER judge a book by its cover!!!
    • Yes child (16/10/2012, 22:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      When you work hard and in a place in your life where you see the result of your hard work you sometimes get in a state of comfort so maybe he has worked hard to come to a place where he don't have much care like others do. Go ahead it ok to be jealous .
  • kkk (16/10/2012, 16:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    i am sick of this case just send the damm man back to Guyana
    • Just suppose (16/10/2012, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Just suppose you had what he has would you want to leave what you work for behind? Just let the man go his way everyone can see what is going on his wife is the sneaky one but it out ah door now
      • NOT TRUE (17/10/2012, 01:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Firstly, i do agree in letting the man go but i do not agree that the wife was the sneaky on because that is not the case.
    • REALLY? (16/10/2012, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      U too ridiculous!!!!! since u so sick of it stop following it up!!! N the reason was upon absence of the prosecutor. NOT HIS FAULT!!! HYPOCRITE!
  • Book (16/10/2012, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You can judge a book by is cover???? Wow you must be psychic
  • Jen (16/10/2012, 17:31) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Vino it's seems like you pick who's picture and story to post on your news site. I Sense some prejudice here get off the man and try picking on someone else's. So may I enquire what else happened in cout today you need to update the public about the other court cases not only this one. Get your news together!
  • Agree!! (16/10/2012, 22:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!
  • QUESTION? (16/10/2012, 22:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is it that the title of the Story/Case entitles that the man is a Guyanese? Is that the point? Why when its a Virgin Islander, that's never stated?
  • concern (16/10/2012, 22:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hello, there is so much business of ur own how u manage to mine Mr Ragnauth own. Only he case was to try today? What happen to the rest u fraid to put them? or u just hate Mr Ragnauth or u get special pay to do his case. Look if an find some thing to do ,let us help each other and stop find fault.
  • job (16/10/2012, 23:04) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Though tis boring case waz though!!!! these cases take so long but maybe the lady still in antigua
  • Lee (07/06/2013, 15:53) Like (2) Dislike (78) Reply
    Please forgive me if I don’t believe he is genuine in regards to volunteering to be an advocate and teach other men about the importance of the programme. In the past I have heard where persons who got in trouble will volunteer to advocate by discouraging others not to do the same things that got them in trouble. But sad to say somewhere down the road everything just stop or they go right back to doing the same thing that they are advocating. This sounds like a soap opera, so stay tune.
  • yes (07/06/2013, 18:16) Like (1) Dislike (51) Reply
    only island man does get set free


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