Girlfriend abused for five years, locked in house

“This man has been abusing me for the last five years… locks me in the house… doesn’t allow me to communicate with my family or anyone else,” a distressed woman told Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday.

The woman’s 37-year-old boyfriend, Orlando Harris, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with unlawful assault and assault causing actual bodily harm. He was granted bail in the sum of $65,000.

Harris who resides at Lot 173 Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown told the court that he is the owner of El Sol, an import/export company which deals in general merchandise. The businessman pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

It is alleged that on November 29 at Carmichael Street, Georgetown, Harris  unlawfully assaulted his girlfriend Elizabeth Barker so as to cause her actual bodily harm and unlawfully assaulted her sister, Amanda Teixeira.

Barker told the court that she had lived with the accused for the past five years and during that time the man had continuously abused her. According to the woman, she was never given any space and had been denied any form of communication. Her every move, she said, was monitored by Harris.

Magistrate Robertson invited the parties to approach the bench where a lengthy discussion ensued. There was a pause in the case while the court waited on a probation officer.

Teixeira reiterated what her sister said and also told the court that on the day in question she was cuffed and slapped by Harris.

“Are you scared someone will take her away from you? That is why you behave so?” the magistrate asked Harris.

Harris was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $65,000 and he has to return to court on January 6 next year.