Judge fumes after man slaps girl in face

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque has vowed to send a strong message to members of the public who abuse the nation’s children, especially young girls.

Her stance comes after she revoked the bail of Owen Campbell, 34, who pleaded guilty to slapping a 17-year-old girl in her face three times.

“This sort of conduct is grossly out of order and it is unacceptable and by me remanding you in custody, I do intend to send a message to the citizens of this country that these things are not to be condoned. You cannot do that to a little girl, our little girls must be protected,” she said in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday. 

It was reported that on March 28, the complainant and her classmates were walking home from school when Campbell grabbed her by her right arm and told her “Come guh suh.”

The complainant indicated that she pushed him off but Campbell raised his hand and slapped her in her face three times.

One of her classmates asked if Campbell was her father. But the complainant said Campbell is a person who entered her home one night with a knife and threatened to kill her if she didn’t hand over her phone. 

In his explanation, Campbell indicated that he grabbed the complainant as they had a misunderstanding over money and offered an apology for his actions. 

“You too out of order and courts must respond strongly to things like this,” Cole-Montaque said, after ordering Campbell to compensate the complainant in the sum of $150,000. 

Campbell was remanded in custody until April 28 and is to bring at least $80,000 as first payment. The senior judge cautioned that bail will only be considered if he honours the agreement.

He was also made the subject of a fingerprint order. 

-Tiffany Taylor (Star Writer)

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