Man allegedly threatens mother

A warehouse packer who allegedly threatened to have gunmen shoot his mother was remanded in custody by a senior parish judge on Wednesday.

In court, the accused, who will not be named to protect the identity of the complainant, said that he and his mother had an argument in relation to the construction of a shop. The accused, who owns the shop, shared that he returned home one day and saw his mother destroying it.

"Your Honour, me never threaten her. I love my mother, me nah hurt her," he told the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. But the complainant said her son threatened her with words, to wit, "Me a go guh fi me gunman friend dem fi buss a shot inna yuh head."

The woman explained to Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque that a man, who is known to be a criminal in the community, visited her home sometime after the argument and threatened her. She said her son did not intervene.

"The man tell me say the next time me bring me mouth to him (her son), a dirt. Him say me need fi hurry up and make me workman dem finish weh dem a do because wah a go happen to me because me make police come dig up the yard weh gun a hide," the woman shared.

"Your Honour, I am fearful, honestly me fraid," she shared further.

"Who is this friend? Looks like I need to keep you for a night so this friend can come and look for you," the senior judge told the accused.

"Your Honour, he will look for me instead," the woman interjected, citing her fears. Cole-Montaque indicated that she does not take threats lightly.

"I have spent most of life in the Gun Court and I know that most of the gun murders start with threat. I am uncomfortable with what I am hearing and I am truly fearful for her safety," the senior jurist said, adding that the risk of interference is a "live one".

Cole-Montaque then ordered that the accused be remanded in custody until November 13.

- T.T.