a man who threatened to kill his estranged wife.

Roderick Carlton Butler, 32, of Gilbert Lane, Sandys admitted in Magistrates' Court yesterday he assaulted Gina Butler by punching and attempting to choke her.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant said prior to the incident, Mrs. Butler had sent the defendant a registered letter warning him to keep away.

At 6 p.m. on October 19 she was leaving her Warwick home by taxi, when she saw Butler walking toward her.

Butler told her: "I should kill you. These children are mine too -- not just yours.'' He began slapping and punching the complainant. He then put his hands around her neck, attempting to choke her, Sgt. Grant said.

But he let go when a child began to cry and the taxi drove off.

Yesterday, Butler told the court he was going through emotional trauma at the time of the incident.

"In my life I have never beaten up a woman,'' he said. "I was having problems with my wife. We were going through some personal problems.'' He claimed his estranged wife had blackmailed him into separating and threatened to take their children abroad.

Mr. Francis ordered a social inquiry report and set bail at $1,000 with the strict condition that Butler have no further contact with his wife.