KINGSTON, Jamaica — A self-employed carpenter was on Tuesday ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution for assaulting a man during an argument at Clocktower Plaza in September.

Appearing before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Wesley Campbell entered into a guilty plea for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

According to the police report, on September 18, 2024 at 8:10 pm, the complainant was at Clocktower Plaza when he got into an argument with Campbell regarding money Campbell had won. The accused then reportedly hit the complainant with a chair causing bruises to his face.

Campbell, however, told Chief Parish Court Judge Chester Crooks that he did not mean to hit the complainant but had moved the chair during the argument and given the close distance, it hit him.

“At the very least, you were provoked but it doesn’t justify what you did,” Judge Crooks responded.

Noting that Campbell has no previous convictions, Judge Crooks added, “You both had a bad day…I’m not going to send you to prison.”

Campbell then apologised to the complainant and was ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution.

They are to return to court on December 4, 2024. His bail was extended.

— Kelsey Thomas