Landlord admits striking tenant

An argument over rent money has landed a 28-year-old man before the law court.

Mervin Orlando Haynes, of Belleview Gap, Waterford, St St Michael was today convicted of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting serious bodily harm on Damien Haynes on September 18.

The conviction came after he pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Manila Renee.

The court heard from Sergeant Paul Prescod that the complainant is Haynes’ tenant who has been residing in an apartment downstairs from him for the past five months. They have not been on good speaking terms and arrangements had been made for the complainant to move out of the apartment. However, the place where he wanted to relocate was not yet ready, according to the prosecutor.

On the day in question, Haynes, accompanied by police, approached the complainant who was sitting in an open area. Officers spoke to both parties and it was agreed that the complainant would move from the apartment by the weekend.

However, Haynes, approached the man on the same day, in the same area, following that intervention with lawmen, and demanded that he pay the rent before he moved. The complainant refused. Haynes then armed himself with a piece of wood, struck the complainant on the side of his face which caused him to fall. Haynes fled the scene. An ambulance was summoned and the complainant was taken to hospital. He was said to have suffered a concussion, but has since been discharged.

After hearing the facts Magistrate Renee adjourned the matter until September 28.

The two men are expected to appear before the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on that date to give their versions of what occurred.