MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man accused of hitting another who was being arrested by the police has pleaded guilty to obstructing a constable, but will return to court in a few months to answer to a charge of disorderly conduct.

Clive Bowen was fined $5,000 for the obstruction offence, with a default sentence of five days in prison if the fine is not paid. He appeared before Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday to answer charges that stemmed from an incident on Barnett Lane in Montego Bay on June 15.

The court heard that cops had gone to the area as part of an effort to arrest a man. During the operation, members of the constabulary force attempted to take the man into custody, but the situation escalated when Bowen allegedly became involved.

According to allegations presented in court, while the other man was in police custody Bowen began striking him. As a result, Bowen was taken into custody by police and subsequently charged in connection with the incident.

On the disorderly conduct charge, Bowen pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned, and he is scheduled to return to the St James Parish Court on September 9. The man Bowen is accused of striking was also before the court on Wednesday.