KINGSTON, Jamaica — A security guard voluntarily apologised in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday after slapping a woman in the face.

Alan Mitchell was sentenced to 12 months probation after pleading guilty to assault when he appeared before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell.

According to court documents, 29-year-old Mitchell was working as the security guard at a fast food restaurant when the complainant attempted to use the drive-through.

It is reported that Mitchell came up to the woman, accused her of using her vehicle mirror to hit him and began recording her, capturing the vehicle’s license plate.

Upon growing nervous about Mitchell’s behaviour, the woman reportedly got out of the car to record him as well. He then slapped her in the face in the course of trying to get her to stop recording, the court heard.

Even as she stood in the courtroom on Tuesday, the woman expressed fear of Mitchell. She claimed the accused had even waited for her outside the station as she made her report.

However, Mitchell, when given the opportunity, seemed eager to apologise stating, “I am really sorry for how I behaved while on duty. Truly sorry.”

When asked why he had done it, Mitchell responded “[I was under] a lot of stress to be honest.”

The judge then cautioned him and sentenced him to 12 months probation.

— Dana Malcolm