KINGSTON, Jamaica — A taxi driver who admitted to stabbing a passenger with a screwdriver, in a dispute over the fare, was ordered to compensate the victim with $200,000 for medical expenses.

Peter Bramwell appeared before Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday to answer to charges of unlawful wounding.

The court heard the complainant had boarded Bramwell’s taxi in Half Way Tree and was told that the fare was $200. The complainant said to Bramwell that the fare was to be $150 and the two got into an argument. Bramwell then went over to the side of the car where the complainant was sitting and stabbed him with a screwdriver.

Judge Crooks asked Bramwell whether he had stabbed the complainant to which the defendant admitted.

There was then an inquiry as to the cost of the medical expenses due to the injury. The complainant was not certain at the time but shared that he had a lot of receipts and he could check.

The matter was stood down momentarily and Bramwell was told to sit.

When the matter was brought up back the complainant noted that, including legal fees, the bills amounted to approximately $250,000.

Judge Crooks told the complainant to exclude legal fees which would make the amount now range from $100,000 to $200,000.

Bramwell was asked whether he had that amount on him to which he asked if he could pay the amount in three installments.

He shared with the court that he could pay $25,000 at the time and he would ask his pastor for the rest.

Judge Crooks reminded Bramwell that he had appeared before him earlier this year and in that matter the case was dragged out due to the excess time taken to pay the outstanding amount.

He further pointed out that Bramwell had anger issues.

“ All this over $50 for fare,” the judge expressed. “Life is not like in the movies, you can stab a man in the wrist and he dies.”

He went on to tell Bramwell that he would need to pay $150,000 immediately and asked whether the defendant could pay the rest by next Thursday.

Bramwell shared that he had a lot of outstanding traffic tickets to which Judge Crooks lowered his head and the court erupted in laughter.

Judge Crooks gave Bramwell a brief lecture on  how being a taxi driver with an assault charge was not a great position to be in as it would call into question the safety of future passengers.

A criminal record check was then requested.

Bramwell handed over a sum of money to an officer and was told that he had an outstanding balance of $125,000 to pay.

He is to appear before the court again on December 18.

– Carlysia Ramdeen