Vendor punches municipal officer in face

A vendor who punched an enforcement officer employed to the St James Municipal Corporation in the face was lucky to get off with a stern warning when she appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Francine Fletcher, 25, was before the court on the charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court was told that on April 20, Fletcher was plying her wares along St James Street in Montego Bay, when she put her display mannequin in the middle of the roadway. The complainant, who was on duty as a municipal officer, confronted her about the mannequin's placement and an argument ensued between them. Fletcher then hit the officer in his face, following which she was arrested and charged.

In court on Wednesday, Fletcher told presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley that the municipal officer hit her with his baton during the confrontation.

"He was taking up the mannequin, and I told him to leave it alone, and he drew his baton and hit me," said Fletcher.

"Are you supposed to be working there?" asked Judge Ashley.

"No, Your Honour, but their working time was finished," Fletcher answered.

"It does not matter, it is unlawful. He is there to keep our streets orderly, safe and clean," Ashley said sternly.

Meanwhile, the complainant told the court that he was willing to forgive her for her attack on him.

"She is very abusive, and we have been cautioning her day in and day out. This abuse cannot continue for us officers working for the municipal corporation, but I am willing to forgive her," said the complainant.

Fletcher subsequently offered a brief apology to the complainant in court, following which her case was discharged and she was allowed to leave the courtroom.