16-y-o stabs cousin during shop credit dispute
KINGSTON, Jamaica – When a man took out goods on credit from a shop in his community, costing $800, he had no idea he would end up being stabbed by his 16-year-old cousin.
The teenager was among three who were brought to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in relation to this matter on Tuesday. The other accused persons are husband and wife, Victoria and Turan Fagan. They both pleaded not guilty.
The court was told that the Fagans operated a shop in the complainant’s community. The complainant reportedly took goods from the shop costing $800 on credit. On the day of the incident, Turtan reportedly saw the complainant and asked him about the payment, to which he said he already gave the money to his wife.
Turtan reportedly denied this and an argument erupted between all three, which resulted in the complainant telling police officers that the Fagans had assaulted him.
On seeing the altercation, a teenager, who resides in the community, decided to intervene.
The 16-year-old reportedly stabbed his cousin – the complainant – for assaulting the woman.
The child was charged with unlawful wounding, while the Fagans were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“What did you use to stab him?” the judge asked the 16-year-old.
“A knife,” the boy answered.
“I am concerned when I hear a 16-year-old have the heart to take up a knife and stab someone,” she said.
After directing him to take a look at the holding cell, judge Cole-Montague asked him “How does it look?” to which he answered, “Not pretty.”
“You can’t manage conditions like that…This is not normal or healthy behaviour for a 16-year-old,” the judge said. “Let me give you some advice, when you see war, especially as a child, ignore it.”
The judge ultimately ordered the child’s mother to pay the complainant $250,000 in restitution. The teenager is to return to court on November 13 for sentencing. The case against the Fagans will be mentioned then as well.