SHELDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer

A former soldier who has been accused of slapping an acting school principal and ripping off her blouse, exposing her to teachers, students, and other persons at a recent sports day at the school, faced the court yesterday.

The accused, Patrick Paul, who is also a sound system operator from Juan De Bolas, St Catherine, pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property in the Linstead Resident Magistrate's Court. The matter is set for trial on August 10.

Allegations are that on the day of the incident, Paul was employed to play music at the school for its sports day.

It is said that the complainant later approached Paul and requested that he stopped playing songs that some members of staff thought were inappropriate for the students and the event.

However, it is alleged that Paul maintained that nothing was unsuitable about the music. The complainant is reported to have knocked the turntables and insisted that the musical selections be changed.

Reports are that the accused man then reached across the turntables and slapped the complainant in her chest. The complainant is said to have slapped him back.

Onlookers who witnessed the dispute reportedly intervened, however, it is alleged that the accused grabbed the complainant's blouse, ripping a section which resulted in her being partially exposed.

A necklace being worn by the complainant at the time was also reportedly broken into pieces.

A report was later made to the police and Paul was arrested and charged.