Man ordered to pay compensation for assaulting security guard

Shayne Zico Austin was ordered to pay $100 in compensation to a security guard after pushing him and throwing a rock at him.

Magistrate Manila Renee also placed the 29-year-old painter of Welchman Hall, St Thomas on a bond to keep the peace for six months. If he breaches the bond, he will have to pay $250 in two days or spend a week behind bars at Dodds Prison.

Renee imposed the sentence when Austin appeared before her in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to assaulting Gregory Hope.

Sergeant Kenmore Phillips told the court that Hope, a security guard, usually helped Austin when he requested food or a drink. One day, while Hope was on patrol, Austin asked for a drink and the complainant gave him $20 and told him to purchase the drink and bring back the change. However, Austin never returned.

Hope saw him several times after that and asked for the change, but Austin kept promising that he would bring the money another time.

On the morning of May 29, Hope was on patrol at the General Post Office with a female security guard when Austin came up behind them complaining and accusing Hope of telling people that he owed him money.

Austin became aggressive and pushed the security guard in the chest. He then took up two rocks and threw one at Hope who moved out of the way to avoid being hit.