Mechanic fined $150 for assaulting female police officer

A mechanic who was charged for assaulting a police officer after being issued a traffic ticket, was fined forthwith.

Alerio Nichols, 31, of Evesham appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John on Tuesday, March, 5, 2024 where he pleaded guilty that on April 1, 2022, at Arnos Vale, he did assault PC 173 Jessica Charles, she being a police officer acting in due execution of her duties.

The facts read that on that date at about 4:45 p.m, PC 173 Charles, who is attached to the Traffic Department, was on traffic check duties along the public road in Arnos Vale in the vicinity of Massy Supermarket.

While on duty, PC Charles observed motor vehicle H-2508 with its front registration plate in a slanted position.

Charles signalled the driver, Alerio Nichols to stop the vehicle. When he complied, PC Charles approached Nichols and notified him of her observation, then told him to fix it.

Nichols told the officer, “If I move it, it go drop off because I just stick it this morning.”

Nichols then exited the van and told the officer, “if yo want me tek um off me go tek um off”.

Nichols then removed the plate and entered the vehicle. Charles ordered Nichols not to remove the vehicle, to which he replied, “If ah your vehicle you could tell me way fu do.”

PC Charles informed Nichols of the offence of remaining stationary, and asked to see his driver’s license, which he provided.

Charles then issued Nichols with a ticket and informed him of the process of paying. However, Nichols tore up the ticket and pointed it in PC Charles’ face, touching her between her eyes, and drove off.

The matter was reported to the police and PC 987 Peters entertained the report. PC Charles handed over Nichols to PC Peters along with her statement and a witness statement.

PC Peters identified himself to Nichols as a police officer and informed him of the report which was made against him.

On Saturday April 2, 2022, at 8:29 a.m PC Peters cautioned and interviewed Nichols in the presence of PC 1024 Wilkes, and he volunteered a statement.

PC Peters subsequently charged Nichols for the offence of assaulting a police officer.

After the facts were read, lawyer Israel Bruce, who represented Nichols in this matter mitigated on his client’s behalf.

Bruce said that Nichols had no previous convictions, and had pleaded guilty to the offence.

He also said that though Nichols tore the ticket, he had no ill will or ill intentions towards PC Charles.

“At no point did he, if the officer was touched at all, that he did not intentionally touch the officer,” Bruce said, adding that Nichols doesn’t even remember assaulting the officer, but did not want to waste the court’s time.

After considering the facts, and the mitigating factors presented by the lawyer, the Senior Magistrate fined Nichols $150, to be paid forthwith in default he will spend three months in prison.