Man pleads guilty to assaulting wife's daughter

A 43-year-old man today admitted assaulting his common-law-wife’s daughter.

Larry Whitter appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with assaulting Antonia DeBraga on July 8.

He was also charged with damaging property that belonged to Ms DeBragra, including a laptop, a hair curler, a dress, eyeglasses and flip flops to the total value of $1,052.

He pleaded guilty to both charges.

The court heard Ms DeBraga and her mother lived with Mr Whitter in his Devonshire home at the time of the incident.

On July 8 at 11:30, the complainant and defendant were in the home at the same time. Whitter was in his bedroom using Ms DeBraga’s laptop.

The court heard Ms DeBraga then heard a loud crash and went into the room. She saw the laptop had a large crack on the screen and an argument began between the two.

Crown counsel Nicole Smith told the court Whitter threw the laptop on the ground and shoved the complainant to the floor.

He then told DeBraga and her mother to leave his home. They packed their bags and left.

The next day, they arrived to pick up the remainder of the items and Ms DeBraga noticed some of her items were damaged, including a hair curler, a dress, eyeglasses and flip flops to the total value of $1,052, including the laptop.

Whitter was arrested and admitted the offences.

Addressing the court, he said: “I am very sorry for my actions. I was her guardian for eight years and I was really upset at how she used language towards me.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered pre-sentencing reports and adjourned the matter to November 28.

Whitter is not allowed to have any contact with the complainant and must be prepared to pay restitution when he is sentenced.