MONTEGO BAY, St James — Attorney Martyn Thomas has successfully steered his client, who was slapped with a slew of charges after speeding away from the police, towards mediation and away from jail
time.

Damien Aaron had been hauled before the St James Parish Court where he faced charges of careless driving causing collision, malicious destruction of property, and assault. The matter was presided over by Justice Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred near Donway about 5:45 pm on January 19. A district constable conducting spot checks observed a motor vehicle travelling from the direction of Dead End Beach with its fog lights on.

The driver, Aaron, was signalled to stop but allegedly sped away, overtaking a line of traffic heading toward a nearby commercial area. The constable pursued the vehicle. Upon reaching the vicinity of Donway the vehicle reportedly made a U-turn, moved into the middle of the road, and began travelling back toward Donway.

During the pursuit the vehicle allegedly came very close to a female district constable, who moved out of harm’s way. The driver then swerved toward a male district constable, striking the front of his motorcycle and rendering it inoperable. The cop later complained of pain to his left knee and side.

In court recently, Aaron’s attorney, Thomas, suggested the matter could benefit from discussion between the parties. The case was subsequently referred to mediation where an agreement was reached.

In mitigation Thomas told the court that his client said he did not see the constable, was having a difficult day, and expressed regret.

“He is a very good driver; he was just having a bad day,” the attorney said, noting that Aaron had shown remorse and was not a regular presence on the Traffic Court list.

Following the mediation outcome Judge Fairclough-Hylton fined Aaron $100,000 or 30 days’ imprisonment for careless driving causing collision. In accordance with the mediation agreement no evidence was presented on the other charges.