Vendor given suspended sentence for wounding

A coconut vendor has received a suspended sentence after admitting to wounding a man in an incident linked to a loitering complaint on Monday. 

Theron Edson Edwards of Mayers Road, My Lord’s Hill, St Michael, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Rayshawn Gibson.  

Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips told the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that the accused’s girlfriend caught the complainant loitering on her balcony and made a report. The accused contacted the complainant and arranged to meet at Savvy on the Bay. Edwards and his girlfriend proceeded to an area in the car park where he had previously seen shovels. 

When the complainant and his girlfriend arrived, Edwards asked Gibson why he had been on the balcony, but before the complainant could respond, grabbed a shovel and began to beat the complainant about his body. 

The complainant ran off in the direction of the Garrison in an effort to escape whilst Edwards ran behind continuing to beat him. Edwards then returned to Savvy where he was met by police.  

He was sentenced to six months but this was suspended for one year, with a warning that if he was convicted of an offence during that time, he will serve the custodial term.  

During his appearance before Magistrate Manila Renee, Edwards denied assaulting police constables Liam Padmore and Khomi Jemmott in the execution of their duties on June 8, and threatening PC Jemmott with the words “When I see you on the road, I got a shot for you in you face” with intent to cause him to believe that immediate violence would be used against him.  

Sergeant Phillips objected to Edwards’ release on the assault charges, stating that the accused was currently on bail for similar offences.  

Bail was denied and Edwards was remanded on the assault charges until July 8.

(JB)