THREE vendors who became embroiled in a physical altercation at Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, have found themselves before the court on assault charges.

Nekeisha Gillis is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and assault at common law against Okeith Frater, while Frater and Vida Clarke are charged with assault occasioning bodily harm against Gillis.

In relation to the allegations against Gillis, court documents state that on February 1, Gillis was looking at a cart belonging to Frater in the market. It is claimed that Frater told Gillis, “Nuh bother look at mi cart because mi nah go trust [credit] yuh anything.”

In a fit of rage, Gillis then allegedly held a knife at Frater’s throat, threatening him, then proceeded to rip off his sweater, damaging it. Additionally, she delivered a slap to his face.

Regarding Clarke and Frater, it is alleged that Gillis was consuming peanut in the market when she dropped the bag on the ground. This led to a confrontation in which Gillis was physically assaulted with multiple kicks and slapped with a machete.

The matter was reported to the police and under caution, Gillis denied the allegations, despite the cop noticing visible swelling on Frater’s face.

The court did not say whether the other two defendants made any statements under caution.

After the allegations were outlined, presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce said, “I believe this is a good case for mediation.”

The judge then stood the matter down to allow the parties to participate in a session with a mediator, who was in court.

When the case was revisited, it became evident that the issue had not been resolved during mediation, as the parties vividly described their versions of the incident with heightened emotional intensity.

“It would have been good if these matters could have been resolved at mediation because you might not go back down to the Charles Gordon Market to sell together after I send one of you to prison,” the judge told the defendants.

Grant-Pryce then set the case for mention on March 13 and extended the defendants’ bails.