AA and anger counselling for teen

This was the finding of San Fernando Magistrate Gloria Jasmath who yesterday ordered him to attend both Alcohol Anonymous (AA) and anger management counselling after he appeared in court charged for assaulting his common- law wife who was beaten with a curtain rod and mop handle.

Gokool made his first court appearance on Monday where he pleaded guilty. Magistrate Jasmath on that day, set yesterday as the date for sentencing. The court heard that at about midnight last Saturday, police were called out to Pecan Avenue, Union Hall in San Fernando. Officers saw Ali, 21, on the roadside weeping. Her left eye and cheek were swollen.

She related to officers that Gokool had cuffed her and then beat her with a curtain rod. Ali said when she ran out of the house, Gokool dragged her back inside and beat her with a wooden mop handle.

Ali eventually escaped and ran out of the house. Constables Sandy and Dass literally rescued Ali as Gokool was running out of the house behind her, when they arrived.

In court yesterday, Ali’s eye and cheek were still swollen and there was heavy scar tissue. Her common- law husband was brought into the courtroom handcuffed. Prosecutor Sgt Krishna Bedassie told Magistrate Jasmath that Gokool’s criminal record tracing revealed he was fined $2,000 for larceny and has three other charges pending.

“So what is really going on with you at 19,” Magistrates Jasmath asked the accused. Gokool said he is a welder/fabricator. “Well, you need help. I’m going to delay sentencing.

You are to attend AA meetings at Presentation College on Sundays, starting this Sunday. You are to stay 150 meters away from her (Ali) and you are not to communicate with her...not where she lives or where she works,” Magistrate Jasmath ordered.

She placed Gokool on $25,000 bail with a surety and said that until May 31, he must return to court to update her on his attendance at AA meetings. Further, Magistrate Jasmath ordered Gokool to visit the Family Services Division and enrol in anger management sessions.

“Clearly, you have family issues,” she said. Addressing Ali later, Magistrate Jasmath said it is time for her to make use of various opportunities available to women to improve their lives.