A Kingston promoter was hauled before the court for allegedly punching another promoter in his face four times because of comments he made in a group chat regarding him and another female promoter.

Charged with unlawful wounding is Norris Burrell.

According to allegations, the complainant knows a woman that Burrell knows and during a group chat he called the accused’s name in relation to the woman and it unsettled Burrell.

Further allegations are that on the night of the incident the complainant was at a round robin in Mountain View, Kingston when he was confronted by the accused who reportedly punched him repeatedly in face, causing a wound which bled.

Following the incident, the complainant reported the matter and the accused was arrested and charged.

However, on Thursday when he appeared in court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge, claiming he was defending himself.

Burrell told the court that he confronted the complainant about what he had said and during an argument he called him a sissy and he got upset and attacked him with a Campari bottle.

“He had a full quart bottle of Campari in his left hand and he switched it in his right hand when I called him a sissy and it was when his hand was in mid-air that I reacted,” he said.

“I started a verbal confrontation because he is in a group chat slandering my name and my business name,” Burrell claimed.

The complainant, however, told the court that he never had any confrontation with Burrell.

According to him, while he was at the event he went outside and saw Burrell who was saying certain things but he ignored him. However, he said that while there he saw about 12 men surrounding him and shortly after, felt a punch to his face but could not get away and was punched three other times.

“There was no way I would go there in his place that he originate and go have confrontation with him. I went by myself,” the complainant added.

The matter was subsequently sent to mediation and Burrell’s bail was extended for him to return to court on September 12.