Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Smiles crept on the faces of several people in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday when a woman appeared accused of using a water hose to beat a man.

The accused, Deletha Gayle, a 39-year-old labourer from Spanish Town, St Catherine, pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. Her station bail was extended and she is scheduled to return to court on December 6.

It was when Clerk of Court Lori Cole-Montague began outlining the allegations that many people began smiling and looking around for the complainant but he was not present.

The clerk outlined that on August 30, 2011, Gayle and the complainant had a dispute. "Your Honour she reportedly held him and used a piece of garden hose to beat him repeatedly over his body," Cole-Montague said amid snickers of laughter. "Dis ya woman look like a bad woman. She naw romp," a male spectator whispered.

It was revealed that after receiving the beating, the complainant made a report to the Spanish Town police. An investigation was launched following which Gayle was charged.

She told the court she is not guilty of the offence.