KINGSTON, Jamaica — A judge on Tuesday warned two brothers charged with unlawful wounding that they could face jail time if they fail to resolve an ongoing conflict with a complainant.

Eighteen-year-old Rushawn Valentine and his younger sibling appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court where Judge Chester Crooks urged them to put their egos aside or risk being locked up until their next court date in February 2025.

The co-accused brothers had previously undergone restorative justice with the complainant where they agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution.

They appeared in court on Tuesday to pay over $10,000 to the complainant.

When the matter was called up, the complainant told the judge he was concerned because since the incident in which he was wounded by the brothers, he has been subjected to verbal abuse by them on several occasions. He noted one incident in particular in which Rushawn told him to “go suck yuh mada”.

Judge Crooks, in addressing the co-accused, warned them that they could face jail time if they failed to adhere to the terms of their restorative justice agreement.

“Put the egos aside,” Crooks warned, stating that he could lock them up until February when they would next return to court.

Responding to the judge’s question of whether or not he wanted the co-accused brothers locked up, the complainant said no.

Judge Crooks pointed out the opportunity for reconciliation, telling the brothers, “As bad as things are, he still doesn’t want to lock you up…The power is yours…Which one you want, to stay home for Christmas or to lock up until February?”

The brothers said they wanted to stay home.

They will return to court on February 28, 2025 when they are expected to pay the $40,000 balance in restitution.

Judge Crooks reminded the brothers to “keep the peace” and warned them that he would lock them up on the next court date if the complainant had further reports of provocation.

— Kelsey Thomas