Lodge Couple Cross-Charged for Assault, Threatening Behaviour

September 23 2025

A Lodge Housing Scheme couple was on Friday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where they were cross-charged with assault, unlawful wounding, threatening behaviour, and the use of threatening language.

The defendants, Michael Allen and his wife, Shonetta Allen, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh and pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

According to the charges, Michael Allen is accused of unlawfully assaulting and wounding Shonetta on September 10 at Lot 208 Lodge Housing Scheme.

He also faces additional charges of threatening behaviour and the use of threatening language towards her on the same date and location.

Shonetta, meanwhile, was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Michael and displaying threatening behaviour toward him during the same incident.

Michael Allen was represented by attorney Everton Singh-Lammy, who told the court that his client is married to Shonetta and that they share children together.

He said Michael works as a secretary and has no prior convictions or antecedents. “Not even a traffic ticket,” the attorney stressed, arguing that Michael was of good character.

Singh-Lammy assured the court that Michael was not a flight risk and expressed confidence that his client was innocent.

“I am sure he is not guilty of any offence, and this will be brought out at trial,” the lawyer said.

He further argued that police had not conducted a proper investigation into the matter and requested reasonable bail for his client.

When given the opportunity to speak, Shonetta told the court that she wished to move forward with the case against her husband and added that she wanted a divorce, declaring, “I want to have a divorce. This has been going on for too long.”

She further claimed that on the day of the incident, she was in her room when Michael charged after her.

The prosecutor objected to bail for both defendants, citing the seriousness of the charges and the threats reportedly made by both parties.

However, in response to Magistrate Singh’s questions, Shonetta admitted she did not believe Michael would harm her if released.

She further alleged that if she were granted bail, he had expressed fears that she would harm him. Shonetta also told the court she had already moved out of their marital home and would only need to return to collect her belongings.

She added that her two children, ages two and six, were left in Michael’s care after the incident, and she wished to maintain access to them.

In delivering her ruling, Magistrate Singh ordered that a third party be appointed to oversee visitation with the couple’s children. She also directed police to accompany Shonetta to the home so she could safely collect her possessions.

The Magistrate then granted bail to both defendants. Shonetta was placed on $40,000 bail for the charge of unlawful wounding and $10,000 bail for threatening behaviour.

Michael was placed on $40,000 bail for causing bodily harm, $20,000 for threatening language, $20,000 for threatening behaviour, and $20,000 for assault.

When the issue of posting bail for Shonetta arose, Michael volunteered to pay on her behalf. Magistrate Singh, however, ordered that Michael remain at least 100 yards away from his wife while the matter is before the court.

The case was adjourned to October 10.