On Tuesday November 6, 2007 the following matters were heard at District ‘C’ Magistrates Court presided over by Magistrate Yasmine Clarke.
Larkland ‘Larkly’ Payne of Craddock Road appeared before the magistrate to answer a charged of battery which was alleged to have occurred on November 16, 2007 at Ramsbury. He pleaded not guilty. The victim in his evidence told the court that he saw Larkland by Joe Hart’s shop.
He said Larkly was making noise and using bad words. He told the court he said something to Larkly who took up a stone and struck him across the right side of this face. He fell to the ground and Larkly continued to beat him with the stone, kicking and boxing him.
He said he tried blocking and moving away from Larkly but could not do so. He then shouted for help by saying, “Allyuh goin let de man kill me!” He said Larkly then took up a piece of iron and started beating him on his shin and hip. He said he cried out again, “Allyuh goin let de man kill me!”
He said someone came between them and he ran into the shop to hide from Larkly. He related that the owner closed the shop door and Larkly started throwing stones on the shop. He stayed inside the shop for some time and when he came outside Larkly came after him again. He then ran to the Charlestown Primary School and hid in the principal’s office.
He said Larkly threw stones at him and the principal spoke to Larkly who then left. He went to the Charlestown Police Station and made a report. He also told the court he went to the hospital because he was swollen from the beating he received with the iron.
In reply to the evidence the defendant denied he beat the victim. He was convicted and fined $2000.00 to be paid in six months or serve six months in prison.
Stephen Stapleton of Gingerland also appeared to answer a charged of battery. He pleaded guilty. The facts of the case revealed that on Thursday October 4, 2007 an officer conducted investigation into a report of battery at the abattoir. The investigation revealed the defendant and the virtual complainant are employees there.
They were there along with a female friend. While the defendant and the female were talking the virtual complaint passed between them and his elbow brushed against the lady who did not say anything. While walking away the defendant struck him on the back of the head with a piece of board knocking him unconscious. He later regained consciousness and a report was made to the Charlestown Police Station.
The defendant said that the victual complaint dug him in his side because he knows that he is ticklish so he struck him with the board. He was fined $1500.00 to be paid in six months or serve six months in prison.
