ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — St Elizabeth schoolteacher and former People’s National Party (PNP) aspirant for the Lacovia Division, Oshane Gayle, was freed of an assault charge on Monday. The charge stemmed from the alleged board-beating of his then-pregnant spouse last October.

Gayle, represented by attorney-at-law Thomas Levene, appeared in the St Elizabeth Parish Court in Santa Cruz.

Levene told Observer Online that his client was acquitted after the complainant, Gayle’s ex-spouse and the mother of his first child, expressed no further interest in the case.

“The complainant, with whom he was involved in a relationship, indicated through her attorney that she has no further interest in the case, as she has reconciled her differences with Mr Gayle. Mr. Gayle was arrested and charged in 2023 following an incident at her home, and he has maintained his innocence since then,” said Levene.

“Subsequently, she gave birth to a child, and all three attended Court today. Mr Gayle, a teacher at Maggotty High School in the parish of St Elizabeth, expressed his gratitude at the outcome and is looking forward to bonding with his first child. As for his political future, Mr Gayle remains a committed supporter of the PNP and looks forward to serving in whatever capacity the party deems fit,” Levene added.

The complainant was represented by Yushaine Morgan and Cherece Cummings.

In October 2023, the PNP moved swiftly to sever ties with Gayle after he was charged with assault. At the time, the teacher was selected to represent the party in the Lacovia Division of St Elizabeth North Western in the upcoming local government election.

READ: PNP cuts ties with another councillor candidate facing criminal charges

-Kasey Williams