Senior Parish Judge at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Lori-Ann Cole-Montague did not hold her punches when she announced that a man accused of slapping a 17-year-old girl in her face, would be remanded in custody until Thursday April 28.

Thirty-four-year-old Owayne Campbell stood before the judge on Tuesday, and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after originally pleading not guilty to the charge. He was also required to pay 150,000 in restitution to the complainant, and he should represent at least $80,000 when he returns to court on Thursday.

It was revealed in court that the child was walking and laughing with her schoolmates on Monday, March 28 at the Port Royal Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) office, when Campbell, who happens to be her neighbour, approached her supposedly thinking she was laughing at him.

Court documents stated that he first pulled her by her hand and slapped her in the face, she walked off and he followed her and slapped her again. She walked off again, and he dragged her bag and slapped her another time.

After the commotion, one of her concerned friends asked if he was her father, to which she answered no. The child reported to the police that she was “extremely afraid” of him.

“Sir, did you box the complainant?” Cole-Montague asked

“No ma’am,” Campbell answered.

“Did you do anything to her?” she inquired again.

“I dragged her hand ma’am,” he said.

“You have no right to drag her hand. That is assault. So guilty or not guilty for assault occasioning actual bodily harm?” the judge asked, but he stated that he was not guilty of the offence.

Peeved, Cole-Montague said, “You a tell me seh you not guilty after you tell me that you drag the [complainant]? Why you dragging the child’s hand? You out a order. Please respond.”

He then pleaded guilty to the charge.

After asking the man multiple times for an explanation for his action, and without receiving an answer, Cole-Monatgue said, “Me seh weh you drag the child hand for?”

This might’ve got his attention, because he quickly answered, “It’s a misunderstanding”

However, seemingly not pleased with his answer, the judge stated: “A 34-year-old man not supposed be having a misunderstand with a 17-year-old little girl. You are not related to her, what kind of misunderstanding could there be?”

“Sir, it is inexcusable for a child to be walking home from school, laughing, minding her own business, having a child-like conversation, which is appropriate for her age, and for you as a big man to just drag her hand like that sir? Do you have children of your own, sir?” she questioned, which Campbell stated that he had no children.

Hearing his answer, Cole-Montague said, “Maybe that is why. I am remanding you in custody. This sort of conduct is grossly out of order and it is unacceptable and by me remanding you in custody I do intend to send a message to the citizens of this country that these things are not to be condoned.”

Turning to the complainant, Cole- Montague said, “Just the fact that you had to miss school to come to court today is unfortunate… I want you to study and don’t make this thing affect you too much.”