Goddard, 43, of Pegwell, Christ Church, returned to the District “A” Magistrates’ Court No. 1 after pleading guilty to assaulting Rasshida Bascombe on August 9 and occasioning her actual bodily harm.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes deferred sentencing on Goddard’s first appearance and remanded him until yesterday, when he was ordered to pay Bascombe $2 000 in compensation by December 5 or spend 120 days in jail.

Asked how his stay was, Goddard declared that he did not wish to return there.

“I can’t handle up there, Sir. I don’t want to go back.”

“I hope you come out and tell the other fellows that,” Chief Magistrate Weekes replied.

Goddard then asked to speak to the court and in doing so, suggested that he be placed on a bond to keep the peace, for one year.

“No; it doesn’t work so. When you pass by Burger King or one of those places, you can put in an order, but not here,” the Chief Magistrate responded.

He then released Goddard with a warning to stay away from the complainant and advised that he could apply to the court for an extension close to the deadline, if he had not accumulated most of the funds by then.

The court heard that Bascombe got a ride home with her boyfriend, when they saw Goddard sitting on a neighbour’s step. As she was getting out of the vehicle, Goddard punched her. (HLE)