Americans ordered to pay compensation after automart scrap

Two American visitors have been ordered to pay compensation after assaulting a security guard and damaging property at a Wildey service station.

Shawn Shakeel Shepherd, 33, a home health aide of New York, and Ajani Shaw,  36, a security guard staying at the Grotto, Dalkeith, St Michale reappeared before Magistrate Jared Richards after previously pleading guilty to assaulting Michael Thompson, occasioning him actual bodily harm, on July 31.

The duo also admitted to damaging a shelf belonging to ANSR Investment Limited, intending to damage or being reckless as to whether it would be damaged, on the same date.

The District ‘A’ Traffic Court heard that Thompson, a security officer at Wildey Sol, saw two males and a female enter the automart. He observed Shepherd select a doughnut and begin eating it. Thompson informed the accused that he was not allowed to do so, as the store has a pay-first system. This led Shepherd to behave in a loud and disorderly manner, joined by Shaw. Shepherd then sat on a small fridge holding ice cream.

Thompson told him not to sit there, and he got up and leaned on a shelf with chocolates, which broke. Thompson informed Shepherd he would have to pay for the damage, which caused the accused to become more aggressive and use expletives.

While being escorted to the door, Shaw punched Thompson and in the ensuing fight both Shaw and Shepherd punched Thompson about the body before bystanders ran inside to assist him. The police were then contacted.

Magistrate Richards ordered Shaw and Shepherd to pay a total of $2 470 in compensation for the damage and the assault. After the funds were paid, they were reprimanded and discharged regarding the offences.

The magistrate told the duo: “You all have gone through a little ordeal in a foreign country. You had to be on bail and come here on two occasions. I hope that going forward cooler heads can prevail when you are next faced with a situation like this. There is a young lady that was trying to get between you all to quell this. In Barbados we have a saying: ‘Trouble don’t set up like rain.’ You have to maintain a level head.”

(JB)