KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man was on Tuesday fined $30,000 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after he pleaded guilty to charges of using indecent language, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following an altercation with the police.

According to allegations, Lloyd Deans, the owner of a dark green Nissan, was asked by an officer to provide his license and registration to which he responded, “weh yuh wah mi documents for?” It is further alleged that Deans resisted arrest by tearing off the officer’s identification card while using expletives.

In his defence, Deans told the court that he was not driving at the time the officer requested his documents. Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell then questioned how long he had been driving, to which he answered, “a long time”.

“Did you know that the police can ask you to provide documents at any time?” Judge Burrell asked.

Regarding the charge of using indecent language, Deans initially denied the allegations. However, it was later revealed that he smelled of alcohol, though the investigating officer was unable to administer a breathalyser test.

When it was time to enter his plea, Deans gave lengthy explanations for each charge, prompting an irritated Judge Burrell to interrupt, demanding “Guilty or not guilty?”

He ultimately pleaded guilty to all charges except for assaulting a constable.

“You seem difficult,” Burrell remarked.

Deans was sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 for each charge or spend 10 days in jail.

The case was transferred to the Lay Magistrates’ Court for further proceedings, with a trial date set for March 6.

— Carlysia Ramdeen