A 17-year-old boy who has repeatedly beaten his 18-year-old girlfriend and mother of his child was brought before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused, Donovan Campbell, told the court that he had beaten his girlfriend because "when me talk, she no wah hear". Campbell's response annoyed Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, who then asked him what gave him the right to assault his girlfriend.

The grandmother of the complainant was also present in court and explained that she had become exasperated with Campbell repeatedly hitting her granddaughter, and she wanted "the licking, the licking, Your Honour, to end".

Campbell was remanded until July 30 when one of his parents or a guardian is expected to attend court when the matter will be heard again.

Campbell was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, assault of a police and resisting arrest.