Guard punished for slapping co-worker’s buttocks

A female security guard's request to be compensated $350,000 after her co-worker slapped her on her buttocks was denied by a senior parish judge, who described the figure as "excessive".

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that the defendant, whose identity will not be shared by THE STAR, slapped the complainant on her buttocks while they were at work.

"We were in the guard room and another person was nearby eating his food. She took up her phone and she bend over like this, to show someone something on her phone. I go to her and just slap her and tell her 'Set yuh bottom good' because the man was there eating him food yuh know," the defendant explained to the court, after pleading guilty to indecent assault.

"You could have simply said, 'Ease up your bottom out of the man face', you never had to touch," Senior Pariah Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque said.

But the judge was left baffled as the complainant indicated that she was seeking to be compensated in the sum of $350,000.

"I don't think he can pay $350,000. I think that is a bit much. I was thinking somewhere in the region of no more than $50,000. I think that would be more appropriate," the judge said.

The matter was adjourned until February 8, 2024 for the defendant to make payment. Sentencing was postponed until then.