Assault case ends without conviction after defence of accidental contact

A St Michael man who pleaded guilty to assault will not carry a conviction after convincing the court that his physically touching the complainant was unintentional.

Terrell Jordan, of Gills Gap, St Michael, appeared in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, admitting to assaulting Joel Elgin on March 5.

Court prosecutor Sergeant Mary Eugene said that the two had been involved in a vehicular accident last year and came to an agreement that Elgin would pay for the damage. Jordan produced a $1 500 quotation that Elgin said was too high and paid $1 000. Since then, the accused continued to demand the $500, with the complainant refusing to do so.

Elgin was in Bank Hall when he heard someone shout: ‘You see how things could happen?’ He saw Jordan walking towards him before the accused poked him in the stomach, saying, ‘I would burst you belly now,’ the prosecutor read. The complainant reported the case to the police.

Attorney Shadia Simpson, who represented Jordan, said that while her client admits that he touched the complainant, he denied, however, that it was done deliberately.

“He was gesturing, and his hand touched the complainant, but it was not intentional,” she said.

Magistrate Alison Burke reprimanded and discharged Jordan, who has no previous convictions.