A St James man who reportedly punched his girlfriend during a confrontation was cautioned and released when he appeared in St James Parish Court last Wednesday.

Gary Gordon, a music selector, appeared before presiding judge Diahann Bernard and pleaded not guilty to unlawful wounding and issuing of a threat.

According to court records, on January 19 Gordon and the complainant had an altercation along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay during which he hit the woman in her face and stomach, and cut her on the neck with his fingernail.

The police were summoned and, under caution, Gordon reportedly said, “Officer, mek she play the voice note that she send me about how she a go pay gunman fi kill me… You going haffi talk to her, because she not taking my calls.”

Gordon was subsequently arrested and charged.

After the allegations were outlined the clerk of court indicated that the complainant was willing to participate in a mediation session, facilitated by a trained mediator, to resolve the dispute. To facilitate the mediation session, the legal proceedings were briefly adjourned.

When the matter resumed the judge was told that Gordon had agreed to offer monetary compensation to the complainant for her injuries. Consequently, the prosecution filed a motion to dismiss the case.

“Pay her the money you promised and let bygones be bygones,” the judge told Gordon.

“She is supposed to give me some money also,” Gordon replied.

The judge then advised Gordon to act maturely and let go of the situation, as staying alive and avoiding a criminal record would benefit him in the long run.

“Be the bigger person. Let it go, because you are alive, and at the end of it you won’t have a criminal record,” the judge said.

“I am sending you off with a stern warning, Mr Gordon: Stay out of trouble; I don’t want to see you back here for any reason at all,” added the judge.