Magistrate he believed he was still married to her "according to God's law''.

Roderick Carlton Butler, 38, of School's Lane, Sandys, has denied charges of using threatening behaviour, assaulting his ex-wife and her sister, possessing an offensive weapon, and four counts of assaulting Police officers in the Supreme Court on September 21.

Butler's ex-wife, Gina Laverne Butler, went to the Supreme Court to see a judge in chambers, regarding taking her three children abroad for a holiday.

She was with her sister P.c. Amanda Blakeney when Butler, carrying a staff and a wooden hammer, allegedly began threatening both women and had to be subdued by several Police officers and lawyers.

Yesterday, Butler told the court what happened before the alleged confrontation with his ex-wife. "I had no exchange of words with her before I went to smoke a cigarette,'' he said.

In a Police statement dated September 22, Butler said: "According to man's law I'm not married. According to God's law I am.'' Butler also told Police all he was doing on the morning of the incident was asking his "wife'' why she would not let him see his children.

Butler admitted being close to his former wife but maintained that he never touched her. "Yeah I raised my hands a couple of times to point but not to hit her,'' he was quoted as saying to Police.

When asked by Police about the staff and why he had it with him, Butler -- who is a carpenter -- replied that he always travelled with it.

Butler also told Police he did not recall threatening to chop off his ex-wife's head.

However, he admitted that he told his former wife that he felt like "killing her for all the lies, deceit and stuff'' she put him through.

He also admitted to Police in his statement that he was angry with her.

"Don't I have a right to get angry for not letting me see my kids?'' Butler said. "Even God gets angry. God's anger wiped out whole cities.'' But Butler said he would take his own life before taking his ex-wife's.

"I really love my wife and she knows that,'' he added.

Butler said he threatened to kill neither his ex-wife nor the Police officer who allegedly broke his staff. He also denied grabbing the Police officer round the neck Under cross examination by Butler's lawyer Mr. Marc Telemaque, Det. Con. Kevin Christopher admitted that Butler was cooperative throughout the interview with Police.

The case -- before Magistrate the Wor. Edward King -- was adjourned until January 29 when Butler will return to the stand to finish giving testimony. Ms Charlene Scott is appearing for the Crown.