Accused claims to be a victim

A 46-year-old man appeared in court on Monday afternoon on a harassment charge, but told the court he was actually a victim of the female complainant’s harassment.

Richard Eric Fields, of Ward Land, Goodland, St Michael, is accused of committing the offence between June 21 and July 15.

When Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes first read the charge, Fields pleaded guilty. Sergeant Victoria Taitt then read the facts of the matter.

However, as Fields was explaining his side of what occurred he claimed: “I said ‘morning’, that’s the only thing I said.”

“She keep calling me, so I go. She keep harassing me,” he added.

Asked why he did not enter a not guilty plea in the circumstances, Fields told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court: “ I shoulda pleaded not guilty. I figured it would be more harassment.”

Asked whether he wanted to change his plea, Fields responded, “yes, Sir”.

Sergeant Victoria Taitt objected to bail based on the seriousness of the matter. She submitted that though the allegation was on the lower end of the scale, the accused “accosted the complainant several times, on a number of occasions and on a consistent basis”.

The prosecutor also pointed to the accused’s conviction card, saying that she was not sure whether it was by “coincidence or habit” that Fields had three prior convictions all relating to females.

“We fear that if granted bail he will reoffend,” Taitt added before the accused put forward his bail application.

Fields told the Chief Magistrate: “It ain’t nothing, saying ‘good morning’ to a young lady, and if I figured I offended she I will not say another word to she.”

However, Magistrate Weekes denied him bail and remanded him to HMP Dodds until August 16.