ST ANN, Jamaica—The man accused of attacking St Ann’s Bay Mayor Michael Belnavis with a machete has reached a mediated settlement with the mayor, bringing the criminal proceedings arising from the January 2025 incident to a resolution at the St Mary Parish Court.

The agreement was reached on November 9, before Parish Judge Nicole Kellier, following mediation in which defence attorney Charles Ganga-Singh steered the matter.

Under the terms of the agreement, the accused, Chad Thomas, from Ramble in Oracabessa, St Mary, is required to undergo counselling and must never return to Belnavis’s property in Boscobel, St Mary, or its surrounding area.

Belnavis did not seek damages or compensation from the accused.

The case attracted considerable public attention after Belnavis was seriously injured in an attack at his property in St Mary on January 20, 2025.

According to police accounts reported during subsequent court proceedings, Belnavis visited the premises at about 11:00 pm and noticed a television light inside the building. On entering, he reportedly found a man sitting on a couch.

The property was reportedly under construction at the time.

Belnavis is said to have recognised the man from previous sightings but did not know his name. When he ordered him to leave, the man allegedly attacked him with a machete, inflicting wounds to his head and hands.

During the confrontation, the accused was also shot and injured. Police subsequently found him a short distance from the property and took him into custody.

Belnavis managed to drive himself to hospital for treatment. He was initially released but later returned to hospital after experiencing discomfort.

Thomas was eventually arrested and was charged with housebreaking, wounding with intent and malicious destruction of property.

He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 in April 2026 when he appeared in the St Mary Parish Court after an application by Ganga Singh.