Alfred Henley known as Al, February 8, 2013

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Alfred Henley known as Al, February 8, 2013

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Local businessman Alfred 'Al' Henley, who is accused of beating a tourist at his establishment in May of last year, will now face a trial on July 3 before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards.

The trial was expected to start today, April 17 however; a communication mix up of location for the video link forced a postponement.

Henley, 45, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm where it is alleged that he beat Maya Riether of the United States (US), at his Big Banana establishment.

When the matter was called Prosecutor Valston Graham informed that court that they were in a position to take the evidence of Riether as police had sorted out the location and payment for the location where the video link would have taken place in the U.S.

However, he said the late timing when the complainant was notified about the precised location resulted in the set back. Graham explained that it would have been impossible for her to be there by today.

Lawyer Richard Rowe who is representing Henley said given the circumstances he has no objection to the request by the crown.

The court has been informed that the complainant has assured that she will make herself available for the trial.

Henley who is on bail will return to court on July 3.

According to court records, on the day in question, Riether left her hotel room and purchased two drinks at Bobby's Supermarket in Cane Garden Bay sometime after 11.00am. On the way back to her hotel room, she stopped at the road side café, Big Banana and asked the bar tender for some ice and a cup which was given to her. The woman then enquired about the cleanliness of the ice due to the condition of the ice container cover.

According to the allegations, Henley over heard the woman inquiring and then instructed the bartender to replace the ice back into the container. This resulted in an argument at the bar as other persons began to voice their opinion. At this time Henley asked the woman to leave, but she refused.

It is alleged that the argument continued between the two and Riether took her drink which was in a brown paper bag and threw it at Henley striking him in his chest.

It is alleged that Henley got up from his seat and struck the woman with his fist in her face which caused her to fall backwards. It is further alleged that when the woman got up, Henley struck her again with a fist in her face and she fell into some plants.

The woman with assistance from persons was helped to get up back on her feet, and she was taken to the Cane Garden Bay Police station to make a report. At the time the woman was bleeding from her nose.

An investigation was launched, and officers visited the bar, and Henley claimed that he was sitting and the woman came and assaulted him, so he pushed her and she fell.

The woman was treated at the Peebles hospital for a broken nose, swelling to her forehead, scratches to her left shoulder, neck and left leg.

It is alleged that the woman in an interview with police said that during the incident Henley kept on punching her as she fell to the ground, and he had to be restrained from persons in the area.

According to Prosecution at the time Riether was on a three-day visit to the BVI.