NHC worker assailant remanded, awaiting sentencing

Middleton, St George resident Darren Ian Johnson is on remand at Dodds Prison awaiting sentencing for assaulting a National Housing Corporation worker on the job.

The 28-year-old landscaper pleaded guilty to assaulting Dwayne Watson on August 3 causing him actual harm.

The District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court presided by Magistrate Manila Renee heard that Watson was working near the old Louis Lynch School at White Park Road, St Michael around 1.15 pm. As he exited a manhole he had been digging, Johnson, armed with a sword came up and said: “We don’t want anyone down here. I is the boss ’bout here”. He then slapped Watson on the face causing him pain. When coworkers intervened Johnson said: “Nobody down here ain’t safe.” The police were called and he was detained.

“I was just a little frustrated and if I can pay a little compensation, I good, Ma’am. I was just frustrated,” Johnson said when the magistrate raised concern about his behaviour.

Magistrate Renee was of the view that Johnson needed to be evaluated at the Psychiatric Hospital given his unprovoked actions.

But his mother who was in the court told the judicial officer that despite having received psychiatric treatment years ago, Johnson was lucid at home, did not appear to be unbalanced, and worked. She also said that he had returned home from prison in May.

Taking a look at his conviction card, Magistrate Renee pointed out that Johnson had three similar, previous offences. She then remanded him to Dodds until September 3, pending sentence.

“Ma’am, can you do it some other way because I don’t want to lose my pick [work],” said Johnson before he was escorted out of the court by a police officer.