A Sophia man was yesterday ordered to pay $50,000 in compensation after admitting to beating his uncle with a steel pipe in what he claimed was an act of self defence.
Kasey Chapman, 24, of South Sophia, pleaded guilty to the charge that on August 20th, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Gary Hope.
According to the prosecution’s facts, Hope was returning from a nearby shop when Chapman, who was sitting on a nearby culvert, approached him and blew smoke in his face. As a result, an argument ensued and the accused picked up a steel pipe and lashed Hope about his body several times.
Additionally, Hope told the court that his bicycle was also damaged after his nephew continued to attack him as he attempted to flee.
However, the young man told the court a different tale and emphasised that he was not the one who initiated the fight.
Chapman related that he was in his grandmother’s yard when his uncle approached him with a cutlass, making threats to have him “fixed” for his disrespectful behaviour. He added that it was out of fear that he picked up the pipe, which was on the bridge. He further noted that it was after his uncle made an attempt to strike him that he used the pipe to defend himself.
The man noted that he is the sole caretaker of his very sickly grandmother and added that his uncle is in the habit of acting in an abusive manner to him, particularly when he is reprimanded for the way he treats his mother.
Upon hearing this, presiding magistrate Ann McLennan asked why he had not reported the incidents to the police. Chapman, in response, said that at the time he was the only person available to take care of his grandmother.
Nevertheless, the magistrate ordered Chapman to compensate his uncle for the damage to the man’s bicycle. Additionally, both men were ordered to seek counselling at the Ministry of Social Protection for the next three months. Chapman was also placed on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months.
Before being allowed to leave the courtroom, the two men were urged to resolve the issues between then as magistrate McLennan reminded them that they were uncle and nephew.
