Man pays for punching child

Prosecutors have offered no further evidence in the case against Andrew Watson, a St James man who reportedly punched a nine-year-old boy for breaking one of his truck windows.

Watson was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The allegations are that on April 4, Watson confronted the child and accused him of breaking one of his truck windows. Watson then punched the child in the chest, resulting in bruising and swelling.

The child reported the matter to his mother, who then made a report to the police. Watson was subsequently arrested and charged.

On Wednesday, Watson's attorney, Michael Hemmings, told presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small that his client had been honouring the agreement made with the child's mother at mediation to pay $80,000 in compensation. It was disclosed that Watson has so far paid $40,000 of the agreed sum.

A ruling was subsequently made for the payment of the money and no further evidence was offered in the matter in accordance with the mediation agreement.