Travis Osbourne, a self-employed construction contractor, is alleged to have beaten his girlfriend of five years on multiple occasions. He is accused of committing the assault from the night of November 14 into the morning of November 15, to the point where she had to be sent to the Dr Orlando Smith Hospital for medical assistance.

Osbourne is charged with five counts of criminal damage and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was not made to plead during today’s court appearance.

Allegations

The court was informed that on November 11, the girlfriend visited the BVI from her home in St Croix, USVI to see her significant other, Osbourne.

She was staying at the Sea View Hotel in Road Town. On the night of November 14, they went to Deuces Night Club. The court was told a man approached her and asked for $10 and she told him no.

The court heard that Osbourne had seen the interaction and got angry. He reportedly told his girlfirend he was no longer interested in a relationship. Realising Osbourne was angry, the girlfriend left him alone.

It is alleged that the accused was seen later that night fighting in front of the club with the same man he saw interacting with his girlfriend earlier.

The court was told the man with whom Osbourne was fighting left and returned with a machete. The girlfirend had to intervene and deescalate the situation, the court heard.

When both Osbourne and his lover entered the car, it is alleged the accused started hitting her with an object in her head and she started bleeding. The court was told the accused stopped on Main Street and ordered his lover — who was only clothed in her underwear at this point — out of the vehicle.

The court heard the accused returned for her afterwards and told her she had broken his uncle’s steering wheel and she had to fix it. He then drove her to Sea View Hotel.

It is alleged that on arrival at the hotel, the woman ran out of the car and into her room where she was followed by Osbourne. In the hotel room, it is alleged that the accused continued to beat the complainant and destroyed her phone.

The fight continued for a while before the accused calmed down and the two eventually made up and went to bed, it is alleged.

The court was told that in the morning, the woman felt the sheets with which she was using being dragged off her and it was Osbourne who was indicating she has to fix his uncle’s steering wheel.

It was said that she refused and the two got into another fight. The prosecution alleged that the complainant tried calling for help but the accused closed the hotel door and continued the assault.

The court was told the woman managed to escape from the room and sought assistance from a worker who called the manager. The police were called and Osbourne was arrested.

Bloodied

After reviewing the CCTV cameras from the hotel, the accused was formally charged and a forensic officer took photos of the hotel room which the prosecution said was in disarray. It is also reported that bloodstains were seen across the floor and bed.

Photographs were also taken of the swelling and the cuts and bruises on the woman’s body.

The accused was unrepresented but he indicated he was going to get an attorney.

He is scheduled to return to court on February 1. The case is being handled by prosecutor Patrice Hickson.