A man who is before the court over allegations that he abused his son, was on Monday scolded by the judge following his explanation as to why the child was not present

in court.

The man, 47-year-old Delroy James — an electrician of Regent Street in Kingston — told the court that his son could not miss a day from school.

James was arrested and charged with unlawful wounding following reports that he beat his son with an electrical wire over a missing football at his school

last December.

On Monday when the case was mentioned, James told the court that the complainant would not be answering to his name as he was not present.

“He has to go to school every day and I don’t like when he doesn’t go to school,” James told the court.

“You ever hear them charge people for interfering with the witness?” Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey then

asked James.

“Don’t form fool,” she continued, while telling James that the complainant must be present before the court and that he should not prevent him from attending court.

“I didn’t know,” James then uttered softly.

The magistrate then instructed the liaison officer to find out if the minor was being pressured or intimidated and rescheduled the matter for mention on April 11. James’ bail was

then extended.

According to the police, on December 3, last year

the complainant’s teacher contacted James asking his son to return a football that went missing earlier that day during a physical education session at his school.

The complainant reportedly went by his brother’s home to seek refuge from his father, whom he described as abusive.

However, it was reported that James went for him and beat him in his back with the wire resulting in a cut, bruises and swelling.

The matter was reported and he was arrested and charged.

In his statement, the complainant said that the football was kicked through the fence and was retrieved by three boys who refused to hand it over.

— Tanesha Mundle