KINGSTON, Jamaica – Senior Magistrate Maxine Ellis last week commended a complainant who defended herself against a man who tried to rob her of her gold chain.

“One Jamaican standing up for herself, congratulations; the criminal get caught on spot. She stand up for herself and her life. It’s about time we say we are not afraid. I don’t believe we should run away and say ‘tek it, tek it’,” Ellis said.

The accused, Michael Green, pleaded guilty to robbery with aggravation when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Reports are that Green attempted to rob the complainant of her gold chain but she wrestled him.

A police officer witnessed the incident and accosted the accused.

When he appeared in court, he apologised and told the court that he wanted to fix his deceased father’s head stone at May Pen Cemetery in Kingston.

“Your father will not even turn fi you,” Ellis said.

“Well, mi tell you the truth,” Green replied.

“You are an embarrassment,” Ellis uttered.

“I’m very sorry,” he said.

A social inquiry report will determine his fate on December 10.

Racquel Porter