Dread chops up man over mangoes

A dreadlocked man who admitted to chopping another man following a dispute over mangoes will have his fate decided on April 19 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Leroy Malcolm, a gardener of Maxfield Avenue in Kingston, pleaded guilty to the charges of unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared in court on Friday.

He also told the court that he had an explanation for the incident which transpired on February 23 inside the Discount Pharmacy on Constant Spring Road, St Andrew.

"From last year, some men were doing some work near the yard [where he works] and them fling on the mango tree. I pick up the mangoes, then this man [the complainant] come through the gate and hit me in my chest. I took the mangoes and hit him with them," a furious Malcolm told the court.

He went on to explain that the February 23 chopping incident stems from the mango dispute.

CONFRONTATION

Reports are that the complainant and Malcolm were both walking on the same road in opposite directions. Upon seeing the complainant, Malcolm allegedly confronted him about the mango incident, then pulled a machete and swung it at the complainant.

The machete reportedly connected with the complainant's walking cane, causing it to break. The complainant reportedly ran for cover in the Discount Pharmacy, but was pursued by Malcolm, who again wielded his lass and chopped the compliant in his back.

After hearing the explanation, presiding judge Andrea Collins set the matter for sentencing on April 19.