Under the influence

Taxi operator Kirkland Joel Bowen says he was “highly intoxicated” when he damaged a door at a gas station and assaulted a police officer last Friday.

“I was drinking. That person was not me; I just had too much drinks,” the 27-year-old from Wildey Main Road, St Michael said when he appeared before Magistrate Kim Butcher on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to charges of damaging a door belonging to Zap Inc., or was reckless as to whether such property would be damaged, and assaulting and resisting Police Constable Wayne Marcellin as he executed his duties on August 26.

Constable Ralph Rollock told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that Bowen went to the Rubis Service Station in Fontabelle, St Michael and because he was barefoot and not wearing a mask, the security guard spoke to home.

However, the prosecutor said, Bowen ignored the guard, entered the service station and proceeded to the cashier.

Police were called in and Bowen’s girlfriend who was present tried to get him to him leave the establishment. However, the situation escalated and the couple ended up fighting and a door was damaged in the process.

When Constable Marcellin arrived at the scene, he went to speak to Bowen who pushed the officer in the chest. According to the prosecutor, when told that it was an offence to assault a police officer and that he would be arrested, Bowen resisted violently and had to be subdued.

Addressing the court on Monday, Bowen said: “I would like to apologise to the police. I was highly intoxicated at the time and I was not aware of the disturbance I was making.

“I am willing to pay any compensation . . . as well as apologise to the gas station guards and employees. I would really like it if whatever measures are taken do not end up on a record against my name.”

Bowen, who disclosed that he had also apologised to his girlfriend, further told the court that he had been drinking like that for the last year, year and a half.

Given that he is a first-time offender, the magistrate ordered that a pre-sentencing report be prepared for sentencing.

Bowen will reappear before the court on November 10. In the meantime, he is on $2 000 bail.