KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man accused of assaulting his stepdaughter has been referred to restorative justice following his appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Shuwayne Crawford is charged with assaulting a female after allegedly striking his stepdaughter over accusations that she had hit a younger sibling.

During the hearing, presiding Judge Peter Wilson described the matter as a family dispute and remarked that the saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”, was a thing of the past.

Wilson also addressed the girl, who appeared in court alongside her mother, and asked whether she believed she would benefit from anger management sessions or counselling.

After noticing what he described as a displeased expression on her face, the judge told the girl she should “fix” her expression and avoid being so transparent about her thoughts.

The girl responded that her facial expression was always like that, to which the judge said she needed to “fix that” and lose the attitude.

Crawford’s bail was then extended and the matter was referred to restorative justice.

Crawford is scheduled to return to court on October 30, 2026.