Female motorist says man choked her for parking space

A Corporate Area man is accused of choking a woman over a parking spot.

Rohan Murray pleaded not guilty to assault yesterday in his first appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The court heard that on February 21, the complainant, a sales representative, was travelling along King Street in downtown Kingston searching for a parking spot. The female motorist indicated that she found a vacant spot in front of a food establishment and exited her vehicle to remove stones that were placed there. Murray informed her that she could not park in the vacant space. The complainant reportedly told Murray "If police were out here, you could not tell me not to park here because it's government road."

It is alleged that Murray replied "A whappen to da likkle girl yah man? The last time unnu park here, unnu mek the people dem a drive up and down a look parking." Murray then placed the stones back in the parking spot, but the complainant used her feet to remove them. Murray allegedly kicked her in her right leg, which caused her to fall on the side of the car. The court heard that she regained her balance and pointed her fingers at Murray's face, warning him not to "ramp with her."

The complainant said that she pushed Murray, who began choking her against the sidewalk. It was further reported that Murray began punching the complainant in her face and in her ribcage. She was rescued by passers-by. But Murray has denied touching the complainant. He is expected to return to court on May 9 when the matter is to be mentioned.