KINGSTON, Jamaica — The complainant in an assault case told a parish judge on Tuesday that she wanted to drop the charges against her boyfriend when she turned up at the Half-Way Tree Corporate Area court.

The woman told presiding judge Carlo Mason that she was confused following an earlier decision made by the court which resulted in the accused being offered bail and stated that she came to court to request that the charges be dropped.

Kevon Building, 19, was being charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, unlawful wounding, and simple larceny.

Allegations are that the couple, who live together, had an altercation at their Kingston home after Building told the complainant to turn down the television and she refused. He reportedly grabbed the woman by the neck and proceeded to hit her before pushing her against a wall.

Building allegedly grabbed the complainant’s phone when she attempted to call the police. A tussle ensued and the complainant reportedly received hits all over body. She also allegedly sustained a cut from a knife on her left thumb during the altercation.

The police subsequently went to the couple’s home and Building was arrested and charged.

In court on Tuesday, the lawyer representing Building requested bail and asked that the matter be considered for mediation. However the Crown opposed bail citing that the accused was on bail for a previous matter when he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.

It is reported that Building told police, “Offica me deh pon bail fi a particular charge so me a beg you a chance” when he was cautioned.

The lawyer, however, asked for mercy and Judge Mason, while being mindful of the circumstances surrounding the most recent charges, offered bail in the sum of $150,000 with surety that Building does not communicate with the complainant in a threatening manner, and he reports to the City Centre Police Station once per week.

The lawyer representing Building requested that the accused be released to his father. However, he was not present and the matter was stood down until the senior Building could be present in court.

Later, when the father arrived the matter was brought back to the judge, however, it was decided that the accused could not be released to his father.

The complainant then made the request to have the charges against Building dropped, stating that she was confused in the earlier hearing and that she had initially come to court to drop the charges.

Judge Mason ascertained that the complainant was sure of what she was requesting and proceeded to have the matter withdrawn, but advised the couple to seek counselling.

“You know how lucky you are Mr Building? Please sir keep yourself out of trouble because you already have trouble dealing with,” Judge Mason advised, referencing Building’s prior charge.

“I suggest that you two talk to somebody… a counsellor or if you have a pastor before things escalate. Talk to somebody. Nuff tough man deh a prison because they didn’t talk to somebody,” Judge Mason told Building.

-Vanessa James