KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several matters were before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday stemming from scuffles amongst families.

In one instance, George McDonald appeared in court on charges of assault occasioning bodily harm but his case was unable to proceed as the complainant was missing from the courtroom.

It was revealed that the complainant and the accused are brothers and actually live together.

Sitting Judge Paula Blake Powell urged McDonald to tell the complainant about the next court date, pushed to January 20th.

“If he were here, the matter could have been finished today, perhaps,” she said.

Likewise, two women and a 16-year-old boy also appeared before Judge Blake Powell. It was revealed that the female accused, who was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, is the sister/aunt of the complainants.

She is accused of biting her nephew on the shoulder and scratching him with a knife.

The complainants and accused in this case also reside together, it was revealed.

The mother of the injured child indicated she was eager to seek mediation to solve the issue between her family members.

The family was directed to restorative justice and is to return to court on December 17.

— Dana Malcolm