April 25, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
THE COURTS

Drunk told to pay up or else…

hameerrrA man who in his drunken state assaulted a woman and agreed to pay her $40,000 as compensation received a stern warning from Resident Magistrate Peter Wilson when he appeared in court last week. Bradley Brown had pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and malicious destruction of property when he first appeared in court on February 3. He is accused of assaulting Melody Sinclair. He agreed to pay the complainant although he said he was drunk and couldn’t recall what happened. When he appeared in court last Tuesday, February 24, the court was told that Brown had only paid $26,000 and was told to return to court to pay over the balance. Asked by RM Wilson about the balance of $14,000 Brown began to tell the court that he had intended to ask the magistrate on the last occasion for more time to pay. After enquiring of the accused again about the money, RM Wilson warned him that the matter was not a simple one and that by agreeing to pay compensation he admitted to some wrong and didn’t want to go to prison. “My brother, don’t take it slightly,” RM Wilson said. The accused said he didn’t have the balance and needed more time to pay. The complainant agreed to wait for another two weeks. “I suggest to you that you bring the money,” RM Wilson warned as the case was set for March 10. The magistrate warned the accused that if he didn’t come with the money on March 10, the case would go to trial.