ULSTER SPRING, Trelawny — The police have arrested and charged the man seen in a now-viral video brutally beating a woman with a machete.

He has been identified as 42-year-old taxi operator 42-year-old Cleon Buckle, a resident of Freeman’s Hall district in Albert Town, Trelawny.

Buckle was arrested and charged on Friday, September 19 by the Ulster Spring Police following the machete attack.

Investigators from the Trelawny Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) indicated that an arrest warrant had previously been issued for Buckle in connection with a separate case. He is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor in 2024.

Arrangements are being made for Buckle to be interviewed and formally charged with these additional offences. He is scheduled to appear in the Ulster Spring Parish Court on Monday, October 6, to address the unlawful wounding charge.

Reports are that about 10:30 a.m. on September 14, the woman went to Buckle’s home to retrieve a car key. An argument ensued, escalating when Buckle allegedly used a machete to strike the woman on her arm before continuing to attack her repeatedly across her body.

A report was made to the police, an investigation was launched and Buckle was subsequently taken into custody and charged.

The viral video shows the man wielding a machete and hitting the woman repeatedly as she desperately tries to elude him.

At one point, as the woman slumped to the ground, there was an inaudible exchange of words between her and the machete wielder.

In the video, two men can be seen unsuccessfully trying to restrain the assailant. The assault only ended when one of the bystanders stepped between the attacker and the weeping victim.

On Sunday the Trelawny Neighbourhood Movement condemned the beating of the woman as it urged Jamaicans to end gender-based violence.

“The Trelawny Neighbourhood Movement strongly condemns the recent violent incident in which a woman was brutally beaten with a machete. This act is not only inhumane but represents a grave violation of the dignity and safety of our women,” read a portion of a statement over the signature of Desiree Gobern, divisional council president of the Trelawny Neighbourhood Watch.

GOBERN…violence against women, in any form, must never be normalised, excused, or tolerated.

“Violence against women, in any form, must never be normalised, excused, or tolerated. As a community we stand firmly against such barbaric acts and call for swift justice to be served. No society can truly prosper when its women — who are the backbone of families, communities, and nation-building — are subjected to cruelty and abuse,” Gobern added.

She said the group remains committed to protecting women, and urged Jamaicans to reject violence.

“The Trelawny Neighbourhood Movement continues to advocate for respect, protection, and empowerment of women. We urge all citizens to unite in rejecting violence, to speak out against injustice, and to play an active role in creating safer communities,” said Gobern in the statement.

“We extend our prayers and support to the victim and her family during this painful time and call on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is held fully accountable under the law. Together, we must send a clear message [that] violence against women will never be accepted in Trelawny, nor anywhere in Jamaica,” added Gobern.