Man’s eardrum ruptured during fight

A St James man who reportedly hit another man in his eye, and also damaged his eardrum during a fight in downtown Montego Bay, is expected to undergo mediation sessions with the complainant before his case returns to the St James Parish Court on July 19.

Ricardo Barrett, who is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was given the mediation order and the return court date when he appeared before presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley yesterday.

Allegations are that on May 11, about 4:15 p.m., Barrett and another man confronted and attacked the complainant along St James Street in Montego Bay. During the attack, the complainant sustained damage to his eye and a ruptured eardrum.

A report was made to the police, following which Barrett was arrested and charged. The other man in the attack has yet to be apprehended.

During Wednesday's court proceedings, Judge Ashley briefly stood the case down to allow Barrett and the complainant to sit with a mediator to discuss the matter. Following the session, the court was told that a new date for further mediation was being requested as the complainant is expected to undergo a medical examination in June.

"I will put July 19 as the date for further mediation to continue, pending the receipt of the complainant's medical report," Ashley said.