A Portland taxi operator who is charged with attempting to suffocate his common-law wife with a pillow during a domestic dispute spanning two days, is denying, through his attorney, that he committed the act.
The accused, 37-year-old Royan Stewart, is contending that he only held on to the woman’s neck after she grabbed his testicles during the altercation at a house in St Thomas in May of this year.
Stewart, a resident of Rural Hill in Portland, had his lawyer push back against the allegations against him during his first appearance in the St Thomas Parish Court on Friday.
The police charged Stewart with attempt to suffocate with intent to commit murder, assault occasioning bodily harm, malicious destruction of property, and simple larceny, all in relation to the incidents of domestic violence which reportedly occurred between Sunday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Reports are that on Sunday, May 21 at about 2:30 am, Stewart attacked his common-law spouse and pushed her into a concrete wall, causing injuries. He also reportedly destroyed her cellular phone and laptop computer.
In a bid to escape the reported abuse, the police said the woman relocated to Johnson Mountain in St Thomas.
Stewart, however, allegedly tracked down her whereabouts, and turned up at the home, where he reportedly attacked her again.
According to the police, the taxi operator, on the day in question, allegedly used a pillow and attempted to suffocate the woman.
He was also accused of stealing the woman’s debit cards and personal identification cards.
A report was made to the police, and Stewart was subsequently arrested and charged.
But in court on Friday, Stewart’s attorney said his client had no intention of suffocating his then spouse.
The lawyer said his client acted in self-defence when he held on to the woman’s neck after she grabbed his testicles, which caused him severe pain.
Stewart, according to his lawyer, made a report to the police on the matter.
The presiding parish judge set the matter to be heard later this week to allow for checks and further investigations relative to the claims that have been made by the accused.
Stewart was remanded in custody.
