A former ward of the State told the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that he fears for his life as he is being attacked by other men who use the same transitional facility in the Corporate Area.
The complainant related his fears to presiding Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray, while the accused, Daniel Moses, stood in the prisoner's dock. Moses is charged with unlawful wounding, following an incident at the facility, where he is alleged to have used a rum bottle to hit the complainant in the head, causing a wound that bled. But the complainant contends that Moses has been making his life uncomfortable, as a gang of five and other men have since targeted and assaulted him.
"They went in my room, and took out all my clothes, my important documents, everything was on the ground. Another day, I came home and didn't see my fan and the police came and found my fan in his (Moses') room," the complainant said. He stated that he has to get the police's assistance on a daily basis to gain access to his room.
The prosecutor asked the judge to revoke Moses' bail, based on section 4 of the Bail Act. Attorney-at-law Franklin Halliburton decided to intervene in the matter and urged the judge to implore them to keep the peace and their distance.
"To place him in custody, he will lose his job and what is he left to do, tief?! Let him enjoy his bail," Halliburton argued, noting that Moses has been gainfully employed for the past eight months at a call centre. But the judge said that the threat to the complainant's safety is a "live one".
"They were both wards of the State but the relationship has since deteriorated. He has gone to the police station and they are basically telling him to man up. They are saying he complains a lot and the accused is making it unbearable for him to live there," Judge Blackstock-Murray said.
However, the judge decided to impose bail conditions. Moses was ordered not to contact or interfere with the complainant and was warned not to cause any other person to interfere with the complainant.
"Based on what the complainant is saying, it is alleged that you are the leader that is causing harm to him, so just warn them to stay away from him," she instructed.
The matter was adjourned until July 31 when the matter is set for mention and for the investigating officer to attend. At that time, the possibility of mediation is expected to be explored.
