A couple's marital woes were the highlight of the proceedings in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, after he admitted that he beat his wife with a hockey stick for sex.

Mike Turner, who told the court that he is a carpenter, has been charged with assault occasion bodily harm, malicious destruction of property and larceny of dwelling.

Turner is to return to court on June 26.

It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the accused used a hockey stick to beat his wife on her legs and squeezed her throat.

The court also heard that Turner damaged his wife's stereo set.

Yesterday, the complainant told the court that she wanted to have the matter dismissed because she has forgiven her husband and she is still in love with him.

However, the accused, who admitted to the court that he had hit his wife, explained that he is through with the marriage, and he is no longer interested in his wife because she has been withholding sex from him for several months.

In addition, the accused said "I cannot live in these circumstances, and I have faced a lot of embarrassment with this woman. Imagine your Honour, me and you married and three to four months no sex. Your Honour, I did love her, but I work too hard to live in these circumstances," he said.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, who offered the accused bail, told him that she is sending him home to patch up things.

"I don't like to see when marriages break up. When yuh tek tongue tie knot not even teeth can pull it. When you married you have certain responsibilities and shouldn't withhold certain things from your partner," RM said to the couple.

RM Pusey ordered counselling.