Man fined $500 for airport tantrum

A transport operator received a slap on the wrist yesterday in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court when he was ordered to pay a fine of $500 for his boisterous behaviour at the Norman Manley International Airport earlier this year.

It was shared in the court that the defendant Trevor DaCosta was behaving in a loud and boisterous manner. Presiding judge Venise Blackstock-Murray allowed him to explain his actions.

"This passenger accused me of videoing her but I don't know her. I was telling her that I am going to sue her and that's how I flare up," Dacosta related to the judge.

According to Section 22 (2) of the Airports Authority Act, the maximum fine for disorderly conduct is $50,000 or six months' imprisonment.

However, Judge Blackstock-Murray stunned the courtroom when she imposed a fine of $500 or five-days' imprisonment.

"Sir, you may pay the fine and go," she instructed the defendant, followed by murmurs of shock in the courtroom.