A ‘cuff’ lands Roseau man a $5,000 fine and compensation

A Roseau man was fined $1,000 and ordered to compensate his fellow villager $4,000 for boxing him in the face after a disagreement.

Tevin Hamilton appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John, on April 4, 2024, where he pleaded guilty that on March 30, 2024, at Roseau for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a fellow villager.

The facts read that the virtual complainant knows Hamilton very well. However, they are not friends. They never got into any altercations before. On the date in question around 7:00 a.m, the virtual complainant was at home when he overheard an argument between Hamilton and his girlfriend. Hamilton was telling his girlfriend that the virtual complainant told her that Hamilton is in a relationship with another woman.

About 8:00 a.m the same day, the virtual complainant went into Hamilton’s yard heading to a shop. The virtual complainant met Hamilton sitting on a stool, and asked him, “Way kind ah thing you dey pon…with your woman saying I tell your woman thing. I never call your name.” Hamilton replied, “Alyo dey pon stupidness.”

The virtual complainant walked away and as he was about to enter the shop, Hamilton boxed him to the left side of his face knocking him to the ground. The matter was reported to the police. Investigations were carried out. Hamilton was located, and informed of the report that was made against him.

He was cautioned in the presence of a Justice of the Peace and gave a statement admitting to the offence.

Hamilton has antecedents. Senior Magistrate, Colin John, fined Hamilton $1,000 to be paid in two months or spend six months in prison. He was also ordered to compensate the virtual complainant $4,000 to be paid in two months in default of which he will be imprisoned for six months.