KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man who is currently answering to the charge of destruction of property was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Dwight Parkins was reported to the police by his sister after he allegedly destroyed her gate while trying to access the property.

The prosecution detailed that Parkins had been shaking the gate noisily, and when it did not open, he used a machete to break the lock.

Appearing dishevelled and seemingly not fully coherent while dressed in a shirt bearing the phrase “bugged out”, Parkins was questioned by Senior Parish Court Judge Sanchia Burrell as to whether or not he was “okay” and if he recognised anything wrong with his actions.

Denying any wrongdoing, Parkins told the court that his attempts to open the gate had caused a commotion, prompting his nephew to come out and punch him through the grill. He explained that after that he began calling out to his nephew.

Responding to questions on whether he was calling out to his nephew to fight him, Parkins clarified he just wanted to talk.

Sceptical of Parkins’ speech pattern and behaviour, Judge Burrell inquired if he smoked ganja, to which he admitted consuming four to five spliffs daily. The court also heard that Parkins was partially deaf and blind from a previous accident.

Parkins was then remanded in custody and a psychiatric evaluation ordered to be conducted for him.

He is scheduled to return to court on March 4, 2025.

— Carlysia Ramdeen