POLICEMAN charged for beating up schoolboy

A policeman who is now on interdiction notice, may have to compensate a schoolboy thousands of dollars after a punch caused great damage to the child's face and mouth.

Marlon Morris is charged on an indictment for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following investigations conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigations, in relation to an incident at Half-Way Tree Transport Centre. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that Morris, who was on duty at the transport centre, noticed two schoolboys exchanging a knife. The student who received the knife ran away and the complainant was apprehended. It is alleged that the complainant was slapped by Morris on his left leg with an iron baton, and then punched in the face, which started to bleed profusely.

When the matter was mentioned, attorney-at-law Matthew Hyatt, who is watching proceedings on behalf of the complainant, informed the court that his client will have to undergo further treatment and possibly facial surgery to correct the injuries he sustained.

Hyatt added that the surgery was based on recommendation of specialists at FOSA Surgical Associates, located on Hope Road, St Andrew. However, a figure was not shared in court.

The matter was adjourned until February 13, 2024 for the figure of compensation to be determined.