Andrew Turnbull, accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, said he grabbed her by the collar and spoke harshly after she had a “relapse” and went on a spree with his credit card.
Turnbull is accused of assaulting Chere Gray earlier this year. The Randburg bail magistrate also heard on Tuesday that he had two previous convictions. He was fined R1,500 for speeding in 2000, and R2000 for drug possession in 2016.
A video, recorded by Gray’s cousin, showed her in a chokehold before being tossed aside by Turnbull.
However his lawyer, Nardus Grové, told the court that Turnbull had controlled his anger, because he never hit Gray.
“[Turnbull] had ample opportunity to injure her but he chose not to do so.”
In his affidavit, Turnbull claimed that Gray had a relapse, and went on a shopping spree and to several nightclubs with his credit card. She returned two days later though he instructed her not to return.
He said when she returned, he grabbed her by the collar, spoke harshly and asked why she acted the way she did as she had destroyed all the chances she had with her children...