KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm was referred to on-the-spot mediation with the complainant when his case was heard in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Presiding Judge Chester Crooks recommended mediation after the accused accepted guilt despite the two parties presenting conflicting accounts of the incident.

According to the police report, the accused and the complainant, who reside in the same house, got into a heated argument on November 9 during which the accused punched the complainant in the right side of his face and chest.

Admitting to striking the complainant during the verbal altercation, the accused claimed he was provoked. He explained that the complainant insulted him, calling him a “big p**** bwoy” and telling him to “go s****yuh mada”. The accused further alleged that spit flew into his face as the complainant was shouting.

The complainant, however, disputed his account, stating that it would have been impossible for his spit to catch him from the distance between them. He explained that the accused charged at him after he uttered those words and added that the accused used a helmet to strike him in his face.

The complainant also claimed that the accused had attacked him on previous occasions but this was met with an objection from the accused.

Addressing the matter, Judge Crooks said, “Based on what you are telling me, this is an ongoing issue.”

Both parties expressed a willingness to pursue restorative justice and were referred to on-the-spot mediation by the judge.

The case was stood down for further proceedings.

— Kelsey Thomas