KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two relatives who are accused of destroying a vehicle belonging to their neighbour over a long-standing land boundary dispute rejected mediation on Tuesday when they appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Petal Reynolds and Ida Reynolds told Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell that they were not interested in mediation and had no issues with the court advancing a trial date.

Warning that there are no winners in the criminal court, Judge Burrell said, however, that both sides needed to be interested in restorative justice.

A trial date was set for September 10, 2024.

Judge Burrell pointed out that the problem is now bigger than the damaged car because the dispute which initially started over a peg placed on a Red Hills property to outline a boundary has now evolved into a malicious destruction of property charge.

According to court documents, the complainant was allegedly in a vehicle when the accused started beating on the vehicle with their hands saying “we know you are in there”. They then reportedly got an object and continued hitting on the vehicle. The right front passenger door and window were damaged from the onslaught.

The dispute is reported to have started over a peg being placed over what the accused women believe to be the land boundary.

The court heard that two surveys have so far been done on the property, both of which were rejected by the accused women.

Judge Burrell recommended avoidance by both parties.

Their bails were extended.

— Kelsey Thomas