Canadian jailed in Antigua for abusing girlfriend
A severe incident of abuse has landed a Canadian studying in Antigua, 7 days in the country’s penal institution.
Marc Wanis was a 22-year-old studying medicine at the American University of Antigua (AUA) before he found himself on the wrong side of the law and got expelled.
In an incident characterised by Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel as "horrifying," Wanis physically and verbally abused his 20-year-old girlfriend, who was studying at the same institution.
According to the complainant, the two had been dating for almost two years, but what was once a good relationship grew sour when the defendant became verbally abusive.
She said despite threatening her, he never put his hands on her until March 28, when he compelled her to come to his house by threatening to leak images and videos of her.
Upon her arrival at his residence, she was confronted with a distressing series of events. Her then partner brandished a knife, proceeding to vandalise her belongings, including smashing her phone, cutting her student ID, and subjecting her to physical violence by biting her face and cutting her hand with the weapon.
The young man then compelled her to drive to a specific location, where he issued demeaning orders, demanding her to kneel and beg for mercy. The situation escalated as he forcibly removed her hijab, tossing it onto a tree branch, and menacingly threatened her life if she attempted to retrieve it.
Following this, he directed her to return to his residence, and subsequently, she drove back home. An hour later, the defendant reappeared at her residence and continued the assault by kicking, choking, and even cutting her hair.
The abuse also extended inside her home, resulting in substantial damage to items valued at approximately $3000.
Despite the severity of the situation, the victim delayed reporting the crime for a month.
Subsequent police investigation led to the recent arrest and charging of Wanis, who admitted to one count of battery and two counts of malicious damage when he appeared in the All Saints Magistrate's Court.
He was remanded to prison until the court reconvened the next day for sentencing, and Wanis was subsequently sentenced to seven days in jail for the physical assault.
Additionally, he was fined nearly $5,000 for the damages incurred to the victim's property.
The Magistrate also urged him to get psychological help for his anger.
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