A 24-year-old man who assaulted his common-law wife by inserting a screwdriver in her vagina - which prevented her from walking - appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday to answer to the charge of felonious wounding.

The accused, who is from an address in the Kingston 11 area, pleaded guilty to the charges. He explained to Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey that on May 20, his girlfriend spent the night elsewhere and left him alone at home to stay with their children .

When his girlfriend returned, the accused explained that he accosted her and they began fighting. During the confrontation, the accused said he "eased off" his girlfriend and as she began falling he scratched her on her vagina.

According to court files, allegations are that on May 5, the complainant had returned home after staying over with a friend. When she returned around 5:00 a.m., the accused attacked her. It is alleged that he punched his girlfriend in her right eye, her mouth, and then pulled her to their bedroom. It is further alleged that he then squeezed her throat, turned her upside down, pulled her legs apart, bit her on her right leg, and then inserted a screwdriver in her vagina.

R.M Pusey in reprimanding both the accused and the complainant said, "Ms. X, once you have them, you better know seh you affi si dung wid dem, and don't lef dem. Plan when you are going out and have somebody take care of them, but don't always leave them, with the grandmother. Mr. ..., if I ever catch you beating anybody in here again you won't be leaving here the next time."

The accused whose $30,000 bail was extended was referred to the probation office for coun-selling and will return to court again on July 17. An outstanding medical report detailing the complainant's injuries are also to be brought at the next hearing.