Assault suspect found in lock-up

A policeman who was searching for the accused in a wounding case was able to locate him after the man was taken into custody at another station in relation to a separate matter.

The accused, Shawn Valentine, is before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, malicious destruction of property and unlawful wounding. The allegations are that on May 10 about 6:30 p.m, the complainant was approached by Valentine, who used a machete to inflict a wound to her arm. She was hospitalised and received 47 stitches from the incident. The matter was reported to the police, however, Valentine could not be found.

Subsequently on September 2, another complainant, Valentine's babymother was at home when he came to visit their child. The complainant's phone rang and Valentine answered. Upon hearing a male voice, Valentine reportedly began hitting the complainant and also threw her cell phone to the floor. The complainant reported that she felt severe pain to her head, chest and her lips were bruised. The matter was reported and Valentine was arrested and taken into custody.

"The investigator was at work one night and was ordered to transport a prisoner from Duhaney Park to Hunts Bay and he noticed on the card that the name Shawn Valentine sounded familiar. It was then that he realised that it was the man he was looking for all along," the prosecutor shared.

Valentine was remanded in custody until January 15, 2024. It is expected at that time a bail application will be heard.

- T.T.