A prosecutor told a High Court jury Monday morning that Salehe Todman raped his former lover last December after threatening her with a knife and attempting to choke her.
Mr. Todman, 29, previously pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle; committing assault occasioning bodily harm; and rape.
Senior Crown Counsel Christilyn Benjamin said that the woman and Mr. Todman were in a relationship and had two children together. On the evening of Dec. 22, Mr. Todman drove the woman’s brother to her Great Mountain home, where the woman had just been dropped off by a “male friend” of hers, Ms. Benjamin said.
Mr. Todman allegedly became upset at seeing the two together, which set off a “series” of events that began at the home and continued on the Brewers Bay beach, Ms. Benjamin said.
“He not only hit her, he choked her. Amongst other things, he demanded of her, ‘Tell me who you’re having sex with,’” Ms. Benjamin said.
Mr. Todman, who has denied all the charges, was placed on remand awaiting trial despite three unsuccessful bail applications from his lawyer, Patrick Thompson.
Mr. Todman also initially faced attempted murder charges, but prosecutors dropped those charges.
See the March 24, 2011 edition for full coverage.