Lack of compensation money angers judge

A senior citizen who is yet to make restitution after multiple mention dates as he keeps showing up empty-handed, was on Thursday harshly scolded by a parish judge who deemed his behaviour unacceptable.

"You are undermining the processes of the court. It costs so much for one person to leave their home and the complainant is constantly coming here and leaving with nothing," Parish Judge Leighton Morris chided Carlton Cameron, who is before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court for unlawful wounding. He agreed that he would begin payment of $50,000 on May 12 but has appeared in court on three previous occasions with no money.

What aggravated the situation further was that when Cameron appeared in court on Thursday, he attempted to pay $2,000 to the complainant.

"Give him back the money. Do not give that to the complainant," the judge instructed the court police.

"This is outrageous and unreasonable. The court tries to be reasonable but when people try to go around it, it really doesn't look good. You need to make a robust effort and bring the money to court," the jurist said.

The matter was adjourned until September 19, when Cameron is to bring no less than $25,000 for payment.

- T.T.