‘Guardian angel’ begs for teen in court

A Corporate Area woman, who a judge deems the 'guardian angel' for a former State ward, is willing to cover the cost of the damages caused by the teen at a store in the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre.

The woman, who is employed at the National Water Commission as a technician, attended the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, acting as a guardian for Delano Stewart, 18, who has been in custody since last November.

"He was trying to sell me chocolate and he started talking to me and I realised that he had challenges. I told him that I would try and assist him because he told me he wanted to go back to school, but they needed his birth certificate. I also realised that he has aggression problems and I got him into counselling up to the time he was arrested. I made some checks to see which schools would sponsor him to get him back to school. He is desirous to go back to school," the woman shared.

"And this is just from the kindness of your heart? That's inspiring," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque said.

"Ever since I was growing up, I did counselling as well and I have always had a passion especially for the boys I see on the road. I said I would try and assist him, I am willing to pay for the damage that he did and let him compensate me. I would rather him come out and go back to counselling and has seizure problems so I think having him in lock-ups may not be good for him," the woman submitted on the teen's behalf.

It was shared that on August 24, 2023, Stewart went to the complainant's candy store with 22 $50 notes and 24 $100 notes, seeking to have them changed. Stewart should have received $3,500 but became boisterous after only receiving $2,500. He then kicked out a glass door. The cost of the damage was not shared in court.

"I'm sure the glass door is worth more than $1,000. Even if you were going with the principle, 'an eye for an eye', you take the eye, the knee cup, the elbow," the judge expressed.

But the complainant suggested that Stewart could be released from custody and reside with his older brother in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

"I like your heart and how optimistic you are. Let me just tell you where my mind is. I would much prefer if his brother is here or whomever custody he will be in to come to court to indicate that the course you have proposed, we are okay with it. You have a good aunty guardian angel there," Cole-Montaque said.

Stewart was remanded in custody until January 29, when the judge is expected to consider placing the teen on bail.