Woman punched during argument in shop

A Corporate Area man who punched a woman following accusations that he was spreading rumours about her, is to be sentenced by a senior parish judge after the complainant denied the opportunity to attend mediation.

"He threatened me two times, Your Honour," the complainant indicated to Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell. The woman is a complainant against Romario Eubanks, who pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding on Tuesday in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. It was reported that on March 18, Eubanks and the complainant started arguing while they were both in a community shop. The argument became physical, and the court heard that Eubanks punched the complainant in her face twice, causing a wound that bled.

"I go to the shop to buy chicken and chips and she say to me, 'What a way yuh a walk and tell people say me baby fada a beat me.' She start call me names and me say to her that me not even ina the place, so how me fi call up her name. Me tell her fi done, because me nuh want inna nothing with her, and she first push me, Your Honour," Eubanks said.

It was then that Judge Burrell suggested the parties attend mediation, but the complainant refused.

"My eye did swell, so me lose couple days' pay," the complainant said, when asked by the judge if she would like to be compensated. Eubanks made full compensation of $20,000 and is to return to court on June 27, when he is to be sentenced. A social enquiry report was also requested to assist with the sentencing.

- T.T.