Vendor forks over $750 after breaching bond

Jason Omar Trotman had to immediately hand over $750 after he broke a three-month bond imposed on him by assaulting a police officer.

Appearing before Magistrate Alison Burke in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court on Monday, the 41-year-old vendor of Fordes Road, Brittons Hill, St Michael, pleaded guilty to assaulting Police Constable Tristan Alexander, occasioning him actual bodily harm, on April 6, but not guilty to resisting him in the execution of his duty. He also denied unlawfully assaulting Dion Clinton-Carrington on the same date.

Court prosecutor Ralph Rollock said that while on duty in Swan Street, Bridgetown, Constable Alexander saw Trotman placing a wrapper in his pocket and he believed it contained cannabis. He and another officer approached Trotman, told him of their suspicions and asked to search him. Trotman consented, but as Alexander attempted the search, he pushed the officer in his face and chest.

In his defence, Trotman, who was self-represented, stated, “I only hit the officer after he hit me and brutal(ise) my face.”

“It was two men carrying out the search, and I was talking to them, and the officer tell me my golf balls flying in he face and quick so them start beating me and a woman come from nowhere and tase me bout four or five times,” he said, stating that his face and shirt were “full of blood”.

Magistrate Burke pointed out that Trotman had been placed on a three-month bond to keep the peace in another matter earlier this year and informed him that he would have to pay the $750 fine forthwith or spend one month in prison. The money was paid.

Telling the court he was hardworking, Trotman said he was focused on supporting his family and wanted to keep out of trouble.

“It’s not that you want to stay out of trouble; you have to make a conscious effort to do so. If police come to talk to you, be calm and peaceful because it will not end well if you aren’t,” Magistrate Burke advised.

She placed him on a nine-month bond to keep the peace and told him that if he breached this bond, he would be required to pay $1 000 forthwith or spend three months at Dodds Prison.

Regarding the matters of assaulting Clinton-Carrington and resisting Alexander, she placed him on $5 000 bail with surety and adjourned those matters until July 19.

Thompson was also ordered to stay away from Clinton-Carrington, including via social media.