The vehicle carrying the five Super Plus workers accused of beating two co-workers, speeds away after they left the Mandeville court yesterday

MANDEVILLE, Manchester - Angry residents of Mandeville again crowded outside the town's courthouse yesterday as five men from the Super Plus Food Stores in Mandeville appeared in court to answer charges relating to the alleged beating of two employees of the supermarket last month.

Bail for all five was extended and they were asked to return to court on March 10, when the case will again be mentioned.

After the hearing of the matter, the five were led through the rear exit of the courthouse by the police, hoping to avoid the crowd that had gathered at the entrance.

However, on realising that the men were leaving at the rear exit, a number of people stormed the exit, almost laying hands on three of the men while they were boarding a champagne coloured mini-van awaiting them. The car then sped off, almost knocking down some of the people.

In the first hearing of the matter last month, hundreds of people, many of them with placards, gathered at the courthouse and openly expressed their disgust at the five accused.

Two of the supermarket's managers leaving from the rear exit at the court. (Photos: Joseph Wellintgton)

The five, who are currently out on bail, are general manager Jeremy Chen and supervisors, Rayon Lindo, Garth Fagan, Fabian Foster and Ainsley Henry.

They are all required to report to the Mandeville Police Station once per week, and were asked to turn over their travel documents to the police.

The five have been charged with kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, unlawful wounding, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and assault at common law.

According to Wentworth Charles, who is representing the five men, statements are to be taken from one of the investigating officers in the case and a potential witness before the case file can be completed, after which a decision will be taken as to what court the case will be tried before. This decision is expected to be made at the next hearing of the matter on March 10.

The men who were allegedly beaten - Michael Sinclair, 18, of Knockpatrick and Renardo Dawes, 20, of New Green in the parish were treated for injuries said sustained in the beating.

Police said the men were beaten after they were accused of stealing three cases of Guinness from the Park Crescent outlet of the supermarket.

The workers, the police said, were taken three quarters of a mile from the supermarket to a house in the parish where they were beaten.

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