A man who punched another in the face, after accusing him of stealing his goat, was ordered to pay $10,000 or serve six months in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused man was charged with assault.

The court was told that the complainant was given some goats to care for by a friend who lives in England. It is alleged that the friend instructed both the accused and complainant to share the animals.

goat strayed

It is alleged that at one point, two goats strayed from the herd, but later returned. However, they strayed again, and this time, one stayed away for good. It is alleged that the accused blamed the complainant for his goat's disappearance and accused him of stealing it.

It is alleged that the accused confronted the complainant and then punched him in the face. He reportedly also told the police that he was a soldier, but this turned out to be false, after checks with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

The accused told the court that he claimed to be a member of the JDF, so he could get off the charges.