Border escape? - Court hears accused man may have fled to US through Mexico

Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell was confused as to how a man facing assault charges may have fled to the United States of America by crossing illegally through the US-Mexico border.

"What's happening? How do you get to the border and do you not need a visa?" the judge quizzed.

Her curiosity came to the fore after a complainant made the stunning allegation that the accused man may have fled the country. The man who is charged with unlawful wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was expected to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday to continue making restitution payments to the complainant. He was not present; however, a note signed by a medical doctor authorising his sick leave from October 14 to 20 was handed to the prosecutors.

But the complainant said that the accused man's absence was just a ploy to not pay her the monies.

"He's missing court and not bringing the money. I hear that him plan fi go through the border, that's why he is not here, and he was at [a popular individual's] birthday show [on the weekend]," the complainant shared with the court. However, the judge was not familiar with the entertainer's name.

"Well, maybe he got sick at the show. If you see him being active, just take a picture," Burrell instructed the complainant.

A bench warrant was issued for the accused man, and the matter was set for mention on October 22.