Bramble lucky to be alive

Jamal Bramble may have suffered a much more serious punishment even before he was sentenced at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.{{more}}

Bramble, 26, a block maker of Sion Hill told Senior Magistrate Donald Browne that he was kidnapped, beaten and left for dead by three men. Bramble pleaded guilty to stealing a number of power tools valued at Cdn$2,350 from the home of Carlyle Grant at Victoria Village between April 23-30, 2009. He was bonded for one year in the sum of $5,000 and was ordered to pay compensation of EC$5,000 in two months or spend six months in jail.

Relating his story to the court, Bramble, who displayed scars on his neck and hand, claims that Grant offered him a ride from Diamond last Friday, August 21. While in the vehicle, Bramble alleges that the two other men tied his hands and mouth while in the vehicle and beat him. He further alleges that he was carried to a house in Stubbs and was beaten with a cattle chain and strongman rope by Grant and the other men. “Them tie me hand ah dem and den, put sponge and cloth in me mouth and duct tape me,” Bramble said.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT outside the courtroom, Bramble alleges that he was dragged to a latrine near to the house where his hands were tied above his head and then tied to a piece of board in the ceiling. Bramble alleges that he was lowered into the Latrine’s pit and covered up to his chest in faeces. He alleges that the men left him there from 6pm that night until the following day at about 8am when one of his cousins nearby heard him screaming and came to his rescue.

A visibly upset counsel Ronald Marks told the court that his client was nearly beaten to death and he could have died after inhaling the fumes from faeces. “My client was subject to cruel and inhumane treatment and the police should investigate the matter quickly,” Marks sternly stated. Stating that the story may seem funny to some, it may not have been funny if Bramble had died and another man was standing before the court on a murder charge. The popular attorney has already signaled his intention to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions about the matter.

Magistrate Browne told Bramble he was wrong to steal Grant’s and he brought his alleged misfortune upon himself.

Bramble was jointly charged with Quincy Barrow of Glen. Barrow pleaded not guilty but the prosecution maintained the charge against him. He was granted bail in the sum of $5,000 with one surety.