ZR men to be sentenced for assault

Two route taxi employees will be sentenced next Wednesday in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court after pleading guilty to assaulting a man earlier this week.

Dario Jamar Cheltenham, 33, of Philips Road, St Stephens, St Michael and Jerad Ondre Brathwaite, 29, of Brereton Village, St Philip appeared before Magistrate Jared Richards and admitted to assaulting Paul Rollins on September 14.

Brathwaite also pleaded guilty to damaging the complainant’s cell phone on the same date.

Constable Troy Tudor said that the complainant was walking along Eagle Hall Main Road, and saw a minibus moving slowly obstructing the flow of traffic. Cheltenham, the conductor, who Rollins recognised, exited the vehicle and began walking in the direction of Mapp’s Rotisserie. 

The complainant stopped in the area of Crumbz Bakery and began recording the route taxi as the tempers of other motorists flared. Brathwaite, the driver, stopped the vehicle, got out and ran towards Rollins with no provocation, causing the complainant to run in the direction of the traffic lights. Brathwaite shouted to Cheltenham “Come conductor. Come, come”, and caught up with Rollins, holding onto his neck and forcing him to the ground. Both accused then kicked the complainant before Brathwaite took Rollins’ phone and deleted the videos before throwing it on the ground, damaging the protective screen, the prosecutor said.

The duo then ran back to the vehicle and left the scene.

Brathwaite was released on $1 000 bail and Cheltenham was granted personal bail of $500.

The case continues on September 23.

(JB)