Minor beaten after being accused of theft

Investigators must arrange to have a minor who is in state care - and is a complainant in a parish court matter - brought to court.

The directive was issued by Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell to an investigator, who indicated that the child was no longer interested in the matter.

"The child cannot tell you that they are no longer interested. The matter cannot just discontinue like that. We need a children's advocate here. You have to make arrangements for the child to be brought," the judge said.

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that the defendant, who cannot be named to protect the child, accused the child of stealing her cell phone. Prosecutors contend that the defendant then hit the child in the back with an object, causing bruising and swelling, before taking the child's phone.

The defendant was subsequently charged with larceny from the person and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. However, the child was not present in court on Tuesday when the matter was mentioned, and the investigator shared with the court that his parents could not be located. The court heard that the incident was brought to the fore by the child while he was at the Family Court on Duke Street last month. He is being held at a government-operated juvenile centre in the Corporate Area.

Burrell adjourned the matter until December 17 for representatives of the Office of the Children's Advocate and Child Protection and Family Services Agency to attend court.

- T.T.