Western Bureau: A warrant has been ordered for the arrest of Montego Bay cook-shop operator, Mark Brookes, after he failed to appear before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court for trial proceedings against a police officer who is alleged to have assaulted him.

When the case was brought before the court on August 29, the cook-shop operator had asked that the charges against the officer in question, Constable Bentley Walker, be dismissed but judge Paulette Williams refused to grant his request.

And she made it clear that if he did not wish to proceed with the case, he would have to make that request from the witness box.

Therefore, when judge Williams was informed of Brookes’ absence Wednesday, it was no surprise that she immediately ordered that a warrant be issued for him, even as she mentioned her recollection of what had transpired in court on the last occasion.

At about 1:28 pm on January 6, it is alleged that Brookes was at his cook-shop, which he operates inside the Montego Bay Transportation Centre, when a man with whom he had business drove up and spoke to him.

He is reported to have ignored the man and Walker, who was a passenger in the man’s car at the time, alighted from the vehicle, grabbed Brookes’ collar and asked him if he had not heard the other man speaking to him.

Brookes in turn is alleged to have held onto Walker, who drew his service revolver and used it to hit him (Brookes) in the head several times. Walker also allegedly kicked Brookes all over his body.

Brookes subsequently filed a complaint against Constable Walker and he was slapped with assault charges.

On Wednesday Walker had his $100,000 extended and is to return to court on November 5.