Man stabbed during quarrel over cart

A St James man who allegedly stabbed another man during a quarrel over a cart is to return to the St James Parish Court for his case to be mentioned on August 16, after mediation with the complainant failed on Wednesday.

Daniel Mowatt, of a Montego Bay address, is before the court on charges of unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon. Allegations are that on June 2, Mowatt and the complainant got into an argument along Union Street in downtown Montego Bay. During the quarrel, Mowatt brandished a silver knife and stabbed the complainant in his elbow. The police were summoned, and under caution Mowatt reportedly said, "Officer, him mash up mi things and him run inna the knife, mi never mean to stab him." He was subsequently arrested and charged.

During Wednesday's proceedings, the complainant told presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley that he usually rents the cart from Mowatt to conduct business with it.

"Every week mi pay him $2,000 for his cart, and him saying the money reach $45,000 when it is really $20,000," the complainant explained.

"Me rent him the cart, so I have to collect," Mowatt interjected.

The matter was briefly stood down to allow the two men to try mediation as a way of settling their differences. However, mediation proved to be unsuccessful, as Mowatt was not willing to pay the $200,000 that the complainant wanted for compensation.

"I want $200,000 for the injury and for my lost goods and time," the complainant explained.

Judge Ashley subsequently ordered Mowatt to pay a fine of $5,000 on the offensive weapon charge, and to submit his fingerprints to the police. His bail was extended to August 16 on the unlawful wounding charge.