Man jailed for breach of bond

A 31-year-old general worker had no choice but  to spend a month in jail after he was unable to get someone to pay a $750 forthwith fine to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on his behalf.

Jamel Akeem Browne, from Crane, St Philip made the decision on his second appearance before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court and after spending a night on remand at Dodds.

The sentence was triggered when Browne pleaded guilty to assaulting Takia James, the mother of his two children,  on July 24 and damaging a pair of pants belonging to her.

Sergeant Vernon Forde said the two are no longer in a relationship and got into a confrontation aboard a route taxi which resulted in the charges.

Browne told Weekes the situation arose over money.

He claimed “Her mother tell me not to give her the money because she doing foolishness.”

Chief Magistrate Weekes informed Browne that he had breached a bond put in place back in April. The bond was for six months period and if breached $750 had to be paid forthwith or one month in prison.

“That bond said you can’t get yourself in trouble,” the judicial officer said.

However Browne said he needed two weeks to pay the money but he was told that order was for immediate payment.

Phone calls were made on his behalf without any success and Browne was remanded overnight.

On his return before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court he still had not found anyone to pay the amount.

“Sir I will do the month,” Browne told the court.

He was then sentenced to one month in prison for the assault which will run concurrent to any other sentence and was convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the criminal damage charge.