A couple was dragged before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last week after they allegedly beat a 14-year-old boy who they accused of hitting their eight-year-old daughter.

Stephanie Gayle pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while her partner, Jeffery Irving, pleaded not guilty to unlawful wounding when they stood before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague.

The court was told that on December 8, 2022 about 7:12 pm, the teenager was standing at a taxi stand at King Street in Kingston, when someone “pointed him out”. Both Gayle and Irving approached the child and he was reportedly slapped in the face repeatedly, causing a wound that bled. The teen was also reportedly hit with a board.

Defending her actions, Gayle said her daughter pointed him out as one of the boys who hit her; however, a reason for the scuffle between the children was not revealed in court.

“Mi daughter said him kunk her up in her head coming from school, miss,” Gayle said heatedly.

When asked if this was true, the teenager denied the accusation.

Speaking for the first time, the boy’s mother indicated that she “want it [the matter] to finish”, and for them to cover his medical expenses.

She told the judge that her child still has to take pain medication to cope with the injuries he suffered. However, in agreeing to pay the medical expenses, Gayle requested to see the medical report.

Hearing this, Cole-Montague instructed the investigating officer to hand her the document, but the woman showed no interest in taking the report.

This prompted the judge to say, “The officer is serving you the medical. Nuh you did give tough chat say you want to see [the] document and the officer giving you and you wouldn’t even give him the courtesy of looking at him.”

“I am looking at you,” Gayle said, to which Cole-Montague responded, “I am not the one”.

After looking through the document Gayle bluntly said, “Mi nuh understand dis”.

“Ma’am, it’s what the doctor wrote,” Cole-Montague said. “Miss Gayle, tek it down a notch, you don’t want to find yourself in contempt of court, you hear? I have a special cell for people like you.”

Gayle was ultimately ordered to pay $20,000 to cover the teen’s medical expenses. Additionally, both accused are to return to court on May 29, when Gayle is expected to make restitution.

Both parents’ bails were extended.