St Catherine man charged for assaulting woman over money freed

A St Catherine man charged for assaulting a woman after she refused to give him money was freed in the parish court today because the complainant failed to appear in court.

Cedrick Brooks was freed of demanding money by menace and assault occasioning bodily harm after Parish Court Judge Genetta Smikle dismissed the case following submissions from his attorney Rodain Richardson who argued that it was the third trial date without the witness.

Richardson also argued that it would be a grave miscarriage of justice for the matter to continue indefinitely, which would amount to a waste of the court's time. 

It was indicated in court that the complainant has given a further statement indicating that she no longer had any interest in the matter.

It is reported that on March 3 the woman was in a public passenger vehicle when Brooks demanded money from her.

She refused and he allegedly hit her in the face with a water bottle. 

She filed a police report and he was pointed out in Spanish Town.

He was arrested and then charged.

Brooks maintained his innocence throughout the court proceeding.

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