Vendor charged for assaulting wife, possessing illegal gun

A 32-year-old vendor, who allegedly assaulted his reputed wife, was remanded to prison Monday on two firearm related charges.

David Bernard appeared before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on November 1, 2018, at Lot 17 Broad Street, Charlestown he unlawfully assaulted Jessica Belle.

It is further alleged that on the same day, he had a 9MM pistol in his possession along with 15 matching rounds without being a licensed firearm holder.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Prosecutor Quinn Harris told the court that the accused and his reputed wife were involved in a fight in which the police were contacted.

When the police arrived at the scene, they observed when the accused pulled out a firearm from his crotch and threw it in a nearby fence.

The weapon was retrieved and Bernard was arrested.

Magistrate Latchman granted him $20,000 bail on the assault charge and remanded him to prison until November 8 for the two firearm offences.