KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two neighbours facing unlawful wounding charges over a dispute involving a clothes line were referred to restorative justice when they appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Ladonna Braham told Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell that her neighbour, Marlon James, at the time had occupied a clothes line that belonged to her. When she requested the space, James reportedly questioned what he was supposed to do with his clothes.

The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation, during which James is accused of punching Braham.

Noting that James was dressed in a Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) branded shirt, Judge Burrell quipped, “So you really don’t know how to put out fires?”

James clarified that he works in procurement at the JFB.

Judge Burrell responded, “Imagine you go to prison because you punch woman over clothes line?”

Both parties were referred to restorative justice. They are to return to court on January 16, 2025.

— Kelsey Thomas