MONTEGO BAY, St James – An elderly man who said he was punched in the face and his phone stolen by a man he had hired has decided not to proceed with the matter.

The case was settled by mediation when it was called up before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday

Raheem Williams appeared before presiding judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley, charged with robbery with violence.

According to court documents, Williams agreed to move equipment for the complainant to a different location in exchange for a certain sum of money.

Williams failed to move all of the equipment and it was not placed in the manner desired by the complainant, so there was a disagreement over the amount of money to be paid to the accused.

The court was also told that about 6:30 pm on October 5, while in his car counting money he had withdrawn from the Scotiabank branch in Fairview to pay Williams, the complainant was approached by the accused.

Before the complainant could pay him, Williams snatched $35,000 from him, punched him in the face, and took his Samsung Galaxy phone before leaving the scene.

According to the complainant, he heard Williams say, “Since you don’t want to give me the money, I’m going to take your phone.”

The complainant told the court that he did not retaliate because he is an elderly man and he was afraid.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the complainant told the court that he did not wish to pursue the matter further, and the pair was directed to participate in a mediation session with a mediator who was present in court.

When the case was revisited, the court was told that the two had reached an agreement, and the prosecution offered no evidence against Williams.