ST JAMES, Jamaica — What began as a normal evening at a home in Rosemount, St James, has now escalated into a courtroom battle that pits a father against his son.

As a result, Devon Watson stood before the St James Parish Court, Wednesday, called to answer a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

According to the prosecution, the events unfolded about 5:30 pm on August 9. The complainant was inside his home when Watson, his father, returned. Seated on the couch, the complainant was speaking on the phone with his stepmother when the situation suddenly turned hostile.

Watson allegedly kicked the phone from his son’s hand before striking him in the face. The blow, prosecutors told the court, left the young man in pain with visible swelling to his face.

The matter was reported to the police and, following investigations, Watson was arrested and charged.

When asked by Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton if he had struck his son, Watson denied the allegation, placing himself in direct conflict with the complainant’s account. The court was left to weigh two opposing versions of the same domestic dispute.

The judge then directed that the matter proceed to case management on September 24. In the meantime, Watson’s bail was extended, granting him temporary freedom while the case continues