"In the name of the Lord!" Man begs judge for bail

Richard Cunningham yesterday pleaded with Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague “in the name of the Lord,” not to be remanded after he was brought before the court for assaulting a man in the presence of the police.

The cops say that about 10:55 a.m. on Tuesday, George Brown was being escorted into the Half-Way-Tree Police Station for processing.

It is reported that Brown was to be charged for unlawful wounding, where Cunningham is said to be the complainant.  

However, while Brown was being processed by the police, Cunningham entered the guardroom and slapped Brown in his face, causing bruising and swelling.  

“The police arrest the man and are in the process of dealing with him, and you slap him in front of the police?  You know what that tells me? That you have no respect for the police,” judge Montague commented.  

But Cunningham said that he was aware Brown was being processed by the police and was apologetic for his actions of slapping him.

He explained that he and Brown had a dispute on Sunday, and a machete was brought into play.  

Judge Cole-Montague, displeased with his explanations, issued that the 57-year-old would not be going home as his actions posed a security risk to the police as well as the accused, Brown.  

“Regardless of what he did, that is a security risk there. The police are in the process of detaining a man and then you go in and hit the man in front the police. Do you not realise that in doing that, you put the police, yourself and him at harm? Because in doing that, you out-of-order. It could have presented to him as the perfect opportunity to flee. Everybody head caah hot so,” the senior judge stressed.  

It was at this time Cunningham begged for leniency from the judge and wished not to be taken into custody.  

“Your Honour, please don’t send me over there, I ask in the name of the Lord,” Cunningham appealed.  

The judge responded by saying she will not remand him for the regulated three weeks but will have him spend a night in jail for his actions, which she described as ‘grossly out-of-order'. 

She added that from her observations, there is a sense of lawlessness plaguing the Corporate Area and it was her duty as the sitting judge for the parish, to have individuals “understand themselves.” 

“The police have the man under control and you go and insert yourself. It is a complete disregard for the uniform, it shows a complete disregard for the processes of the court. You and I will speak further after you have had a night of discomfort. People don’t understand you know and a message must be sent that when the police are doing their work, you must respect what they are doing,” judge Montague said.  

Cunningham’s sentencing is set for today.

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