Entrepreneur bonded after threatening Coast Guard officer

An impulsive outburst has landed entrepreneur Wayne Andrew Jones on a nine-month bond to keep the peace, after admitting to using threatening language towards a Coast Guard officer.

Jones, 51, of Mango Drive, Coverley, Christ Church, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes and pleaded guilty to using the words “I gine chop you up” towards Ranahko Springer while within Barbados’ territorial waters. The threat caused Springer to fear immediate unlawful violence.

Prosecutor Station Sergeant Chrisna Williams told the court that Springer was conducting a check on a black cabin cruiser in Carlisle Bay when Jones made the threatening remark. Springer became fearful, and marine police were summoned.

Defence attorney Shadia Simpson said her client, who has five previous convictions and works with boats and jet skis, acted impulsively after a previous altercation in which Coast Guard officers allegedly threatened to damage his jet ski. She suggested that the matter warranted a bond rather than a harsher penalty.

The magistrate agreed and placed Jones on a nine-month bond to keep the peace, warning that if breached, he must pay $1 500 immediately or spend three months in prison.