A man charged with housebreaking and larceny sought to justify his crimes by telling the court that he broke the law because his girlfriend was on the verge of giving birth to their child.

Danan Calendar appeared before presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton last Wednesday. He is represented by attorney-at-law Jermaine Campbell.

According to court documents, on September 25 about 7:15 am, the complainant left her home in Peace View, Albion, St James. Later she received a notification from the camera app on her cellphone that someone was inside her house. She made checks and saw the accused inside.

The complainant returned home and confronted Calendar. When she checked inside her house she found that $16,000 was missing from her chest of drawers.

The authorities were contacted, and upon being cautioned Calendar allegedly stated, “Officer, mi girlfriend due to give birth.”

The prosecution objected to bail stating that the offence occurred while Calendar was already on bail for another offence and that he engaged in other criminal activity while on bail.

The court was also told that the case file is incomplete because the Crown was awaiting video footage.

Fairclough-Hylton scheduled the case for mention again on November 20, during which time Calendar’s lawyer will be given partial disclosure.

Calendar was remanded until then.

Psychiatric evaluation ordered for windscreen cleaner on assault charge

A St James man who reportedly pulled a knife on a motorist who refused to allow him to wipe his windscreen was remanded on Wednesday by the parish court, in order for a psychiatric evaluation to be done on him.

Twenty-seven-year-old Patrick Hemmings, who is of a Montego Bay address, pleaded guilty to assault at common law.

It is alleged that on October 7, Hemmings approached the complainant, who was in traffic on Howard Cooke Boulevard, between LOJ and Baywest Plaza in St James, and attempted to clean the windscreen of his vehicle. When the complainant declined Hemmings’ offer, the accused man drew a knife, approximately 12 inches long, from his waist and threatened the complainant, saying, “Mi a go stab yuh.”

The matter was reported to the police and Hemmings was arrested and charged.

“Why did you do that, sir?” presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton asked Hemmings after the allegations were outlined.

“It was just a mistake,” Hemmings replied.

“What do you mean by mistake?” the judge asked.

“Ignorance, Your Honour,” Hemmings responded.

“When last have you been to the doctor, sir?” the judge enquired, attempting to determine if he had a history of receiving psychiatric treatment.

“Every time they sent me to the doctor they said I am not mental,” Hemmings told the judge.

Fairclough-Hylton subsequently ordered the defendant to be held in custody at St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre for the purpose of undergoing a psychiatric assessment.

He will remain behind bars until December 4 when the case returns to court.

This is not the first time a windscreen cleaner has appeared in court for an offence after being turned down by drivers who refuse to use their services.

In September, another windscreen cleaner, Robert Johnson, found himself before the court after he allegedly hit a female motorist in the head with a bottle and damaged the glass of her car after she refused his services. Concerns were also raised regarding his mental capacity.

However, his case was settled at mediation after he agreed to compensate the victim.