by Linda Straker
- Anderson Gordon ordered to do 250 hours of community service for damage to property and assault
- Public Order Act prohibits the carrying of any offensive weapon at public meetings as well as disorderly behaviours with an intent to prevent and or disrupt a meeting
The magistrate at the Sauteurs Magistrate Court in the northern parish of St Patrick on Thursday morning sentenced a man to 250 hours of community service for assaulting another man who was wearing an NNP branded T-shirt.
25-year-old Anderson Gordon of Rose Hill, St Patrick was ordered to do 250 hours of community service for the offence of damage to property and assault. With regards to the assault charge, police told the court that on the night of 27 February 2018, Gordon saw Stalmire Thomas wearing a New National Party (NNP) branded T-shirt with Pamela Moses’ face on it. Gordon approached Thomas, tore the T-shirt completely off while telling him, “doh support them people and dem.”
On the damage to property charge, Gordon was placed EC$5,000 bail with one security. The matter will be heard on 7 June at the Sauteurs Magistrate Court.
Following the announcement of the 13 March General Election date, police gave the assurance that there will be more noticeable law enforcement presence at political meetings and rallies. The police warn that persons involved in any form of violence and threats and or disruptions to political meetings may face criminal prosecution.
The Public Order Act prohibits the carrying of any offensive weapon at public meetings as well as disorderly behaviours with an intent to prevent and or disrupt a meeting.
According to the Act, it is a criminal offence for persons at any public meeting to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour; or distribute or display any writing, sign or visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or whereby a breach of the peace is likely to result.
The penalty under a summary conviction is 3 months imprisonment and or a fine of EC$5,000 while as an indictable offence, the penalty is 6 months imprisonment or a fine of EC$20,000.
