WESTERN BUREAU:

A Montegonian who assaulted a man on January 5 for picking ackees from his tree without permission, walked out of the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court a free man on Friday.

Martin Blackwood had pleaded guilty with explanation to assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Jemar Brown when his case was first brought to court on January 24.

However, at that time Blackwood explained that he acted in self-defence when Brown threatened him after being admonished not to pick the ackees.

"He (Brown) was in my yard going on like a bad man and threatening to shoot me. He took a stick and started to pick the ackees, and I took the stick and hit him on his hand," Blackwood told Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris on Friday.

"So he was in your premises trying to steal your ackees? Did you give him permission?" RM Harris asked for clarity.

"No, Your Honour. I'm not saying he can't pick them, since we live so close, but don't threaten me and say you're going to shoot me," replied Blackwood.

mentally ill

Meanwhile, the court was informed that Brown, who was absent from the sitting, was mentally ill and had not attended previous mention dates.

"When him ready him go on like him sick. From that occasion, I neither see nor hear of him being at the hospital," a sceptical Blackwood remarked.

"So he's playing fool to catch wise, but maybe something's wrong with him. The Crown is not proceeding against you, so you can go home," Harris told Blackwood, subsequently dismissing the case against him.