ST JAMES, Jamaica — A man accused of attacking a woman after she declined his advances for sex has had his case resolved through mediation. However the judge warned him that next time she would not be so lenient.

The parties involved are both hearing-impaired, adding a layer of complexity to the situation as it necessitated the use of two sign language interpreters when the matter came before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

The defendant, Chester Smith of a St James address, was facing a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

According to court records, on March 2 about 11:00 pm, a woman was sitting at a bar on Union Street in St James when Smith approached her and asked for sex. She refused, and he struck her in the face with a piece of board, resulting in swelling around her right eye and a dark circle.

During Wednesday’s sitting, it was revealed that the parties had successfully addressed and resolved their differences through mediation.

As a result, the prosecution offered no evidence against Smith.

“I don’t know what took place on that day. I was not there. However, the offence for which you have been charged carries a maximum term of imprisonment for up to three years. This means that if you were tried and found guilty, I could sentence you to up to three years in prison,” presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton told Smith.

“In this case, mediation was successful. But I am warning you, Mr Smith, that if you commit another offence, are charged, and appear before me again, it will not go like this. Maintain the peace,” the judge added before discharging the accused man.