A drinks vendor who burst a man’s lip because he was littering, was yesterday placed on a six-month peace bond when he made his appearance before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Allen Daniels accepted the charge which stated that on Tuesday at Georgetown he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Omesh Lakraj. When given a chance to speak, Daniels said that on the day of the incident the complainant was at the Better Hope Park seated in a minibus eating nuts and he threw the shells on the road in front of his stall where he sells drinks.
According to Daniels, he cautioned the virtual complainant (VC) about the manner in which he had disposed of his garbage. However, the man who was drunk at the time began pointing his hand in his face.
Daniels said he told the man that he should not be littering and could be charged since it is an offence. The defendant explained that Lakraj told him, “You can’t do me nothing.”
He said that after the VC responded in that manner, he [Daniels] picked up the handful of shells from the ground and placed them on Lakraj.
The drinks vendor said that Lakraj then exited the minibus and began chucking him so he raised his hand and dealt him a knock causing his lip to burst.
Magistrate Octive-Hamilton told the defendant that while he was being an exemplary citizen by cautioning the VC about the manner in which he disposed of his garbage, he had no right to do what he did.
She said further that the fact that the complainant was intoxicated was an added reason why the defendant should not have “followed him up” since people in that state are prone to doing erratic and senseless things.
The magistrate had informed Daniels before he pleaded to the charge that the offence carried a custodial sentence.
In handing down the ruling, however, she said that in light of the “pick-it up” campaign which has been launched against littering, Daniels’ caution to the VC not to litter is an upright act of a good citizen.
As a result, she told him that he will be placed on a bond to keep the peace for six months. In addition, she reprimanded and discharged the matter against him.
She warned him to be of good behaviour, “not to follow-up drunk people” and not to return to court. The virtual complainant was absent from court.
The prosecution stated that the matter occurred about 14:30 hrs on the day in question and Daniels was arrested and charged after the VC reported the matter at the Brickdam Police Station.
