MONTEGO BAY, St James — The police here have charged a West Kingston resident with the murder of 43-year-old Paul Gardner the former managing director of the Wexford Hotel whose bloodied body was found in an apartment a short distance from his home in Norwood Housing Scheme earlier this month.

Charged is Damialey Dawes, 19, of a Denham Town, West Kingston address. He is scheduled to appear in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court this week.

James was held early Wednesday morning, June 2, after the Trelawny police spotted a Toyota Vista motor car — which turned out to be that of Gardner’s wife, Raquel — being driven without headlights on during a patrol in Greenwood, a community on the border of St James and Trelawny.

As the police drew closer, the motor vehicle accelerated, but was intercepted within minutes.

One of the two occupants of the car jumped out and eluded the police. However, Dawes, who was driving was caught. His clothes were drenched in blood and the police discovered a bloodied knife in the car.

After being interrogated, he led the police to an apartment in the upscale Mango Walk community of St James, where Gardner’s bloody body was found with multiple stab wounds.

Subsequent investigations led the police to the house where Dawes was staying in Greenwood.

Dawes, who was being held at the Freeport Police lock-up in Montego Bay, was charged on Monday.

Meanwhile, the police say they have revved up their search for Dawes’ accomplice, whom they say is well known.