Brawl lands motorists in court

A fight reportedly broke out outside a fast-food restaurant in Montego Bay, St James, because one of the three persons implicated allegedly drove the wrong way on a one-way road near the establishment.

Jayden Waite and Tashia Smith pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, while Sheldon Rashford pleaded not guilty to unlawful wounding committed against Smith. The trio appeared in court on Wednesday and will stand trial in the St James Parish Court next month. The court was told that on October 29, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., Waite, who was driving, and Smith were travelling together in a car in Fairview, heading in the wrong direction along a one-way route. A security officer told him to remove his vehicle, but he did not comply. It is further alleged that Rashford got out of his vehicle to confront Waite and Smith and a fight broke out. During the brawl, Waite hit Rashford in the face and Smith jumped on Rashford's back and hit him all over his head and body, while Rashford slammed Smith's head on the bumper of one of the cars.

After the allegations were outlined, presiding Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce expressed her disapproval at how the reported incident unfolded among the parties.

"Look how three young people could have lost their lives over foolishness, my God. Three people, and there was none to say, 'All right, cool it, cool it, let me not advance it.' They would prefer to die over foolishness," Grant-Pryce said in disgust.

The court was told that the medical certificates relating to the case were still outstanding, and that the parties were not inclined to attend mediation to resolve their dispute. Grant-Pryce subsequently set the matter for hearing on February 17 and extended the three defendants' bails to that date. She also issued a subpoena for the investigating officer to appear on the next court date.

"These are serious offences, and somebody is going to prison," Grant-Pryce told the accused.