Injured man remanded on breach of curfew and other charges

A 27-year-old man who was shot in the jaw and mouth area some two weeks ago has been remanded to Dodds  in connection with three offences, one of which was a breach of the first imposed 10-hour COVID-19 curfew.

Kadeem Kwmaine Hunte, of Bayview No. 1, St Michael appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged that he, on March 31, loitered on the premises of the Harbor Lights Night Club and whom there was cause to suspect of being about to commit theft. He is also charged with assaulting Police Constable Shauntelle Watkins in the execution of her duties on the same day.

It is further alleged that he was outdoors at 11:30 p.m. that particular Tuesday without a reasonable excuse when a Government directive had been enforced.

Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Waithe told the court that Hunte had been injured and had spent some time at Hospital.

When Hunte spoke, it sounded like he was doing so with the aide of a device at the base of his throat, which was covered by taped gauze. He tried to explain what occurred on the day even as he entered not guilty pleas to the three charges.

He told Magistrate Wayne Clarke he is employed at a sugar factory and had asked to work the night shift because someone had fallen ill. He claimed that he was on his way to work but missed the by-pass bus. This having happened, he ventured to Bay Street where he had “some drinks” and soon after went for a dip in the sea. He claimed soon after police came through chasing two men and since he did not want to lose his job he fled as well.

To make his escape he claimed: “I was running … I run to a gallery and went to climb the roof . . .” He was shot thereafter.

Hunte added: “I know I was out on the road but I did not go nowhere to break in nobody place”.

The father of two, who struggled to speak during his entire explanation, then asked whether he could pay a fine for the curfew breach as he was not desirous of being remanded. He was informed that it was $50,000 or 12 months in prison or both.

Hunte will reappear in court on May 8. (FW)