MONTEGO BAY, St James — A domestic dispute took a troubling turn earlier this month when a woman’s window was allegedly smashed by her ex-boyfriend, who was later seen at her gate armed with a knife.

The man at the centre of the incident, Romaine Smalling, appeared before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday to answer to a charge of malicious destruction of property.

According to court documents, the incident unfolded on July 9 at the complainant’s home in West Green, St James. The woman, who shares a history with Smalling, told police she was inside her home when she heard knocking on her window. Upon stepping outside to investigate she discovered the glass had been shattered.

The damaged window, reportedly valued at $60,000, was not the only thing that caught her attention. Several stones were found scattered on her veranda, and Smalling was allegedly spotted standing at her gate, visibly upset and clutching a knife while hurling angry words in her direction.

Concerned for her safety, the complainant alerted the police. Smalling was later arrested and taken to Montego Bay Police Station where he was formally charged.

In court on Wednesday, Parish Court judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton ordered that Smalling be remanded in custody.

He is expected to reappear on September 24.