KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 34-year-old man faces several months in prison following a violent altercation with his neighbor, resulting in the severe beating of a woman.
The incident involved a man employed at a popular Kingston call center and a female hairdresser, who had a heated argument over the disposal of rubbish in a shared bin. The court heard that the man had repeatedly instructed the woman not to throw rubbish in the bin, instructions she failed to follow.
On the day of the incident, the man allegedly attempted to empty the bin’s contents at the woman’s front door after she ignored his instructions yet again. The woman testified that she found trash on her doorstep and, while attempting to return it to the bin, was confronted by the man. The confrontation escalated, and the man reportedly hit the woman with a piece of wood, leaving her severely beaten.
Senior Magistrate Sancha Burrell questioned the man’s extreme reaction after learning of his occupation and hearing his side of the story. The man claimed the woman had spat on him during their argument. However, Burrell, noting the complainant’s injuries and limping condition, remarked that a “spit for spit” response would have been more appropriate.
“She spat on you and you used a board to smash her. Don’t you think that’s an extreme reaction?” the judge queried.
With a trial date set for October, the judge ordered fingerprinting and a social investigation report, remanding the defendant in custody. Burrell indicated a willingness to consider a bail application, provided the defendant found alternative accommodation. This decision came after the complainant reported receiving threats from an armed group.
