Jason Francis and Jessica George discontinued assault complaints against each other when they appeared before the Magistrate's court today, December 5, 2012; assault and wounding charges were also dismissed against Michael Butler in a separate matter. Photo: VINO/File

Francis and George (who is no longer an employee at the Village Cay Marina) were dishwashers at the Marina when they allegedly became involved in a fight on the job and were each slapped with charges of assault.

Francis was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and George with common assault when they first appeared before the court on September 5, 2012. Both parties had pleaded not guilty to the charges. George, a national of the Dominican Republic, utilised the services of an interpreter at her hearings.

It was alleged that on February 16, 2012 the defendants, who were both employees of the Village Cay Marina at the time, were involved in a fight while working alongside each other. Francis allegedly accidentally elbowed George and apologised but his apology was met with a punch to the mouth. He then allegedly punched George in the face and the two became involved in a scuffle. The two were parted by other workers at the Marina and called to the manager’s office. 

As a result of the withdrawal by both parties, Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin related to the court that the cross-complaints involving the two would no longer be pursued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards agreed to have the respective charges of assault dismissed for want of prosecution as requested by Benjamin.

Meanwhile, charges of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were also dismissed for want of prosecution against Michael Butler as well when he appeared before the court today. 

Butler had allegedly assaulted both his girlfriend and her sister on March 14 and April 17, 2012 respectively. Both women withdrew their complaints against the defendant. The man and his girlfriend reportedly have a child together.