Man accused of stealing produce ordered to pay compensation for broken window

A young man who is accused of stealing produce was ordered to pay compensation for shattering the rear window shield of a truck during an altercation with a vendor.

Akeilo Matthews, 28, appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John, on September 30, 2024 where he pleaded guilty that on September 27, 2024 at Melville Street, Kingstown, he damaged the rear wind shield of Motor Vehicle FB-805, valued EC$2,205.18, the property of Clement Johnson of Lowmans Windward, and was reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

However, he denied that on the same date and in the same place, he assaulted Clement Johnson of Lowmans Windward causing actual bodily harm.

The facts stated that Johnson does not know Matthews, and had never seen him before. Johnson is the owner of Motor Vehicle FB-805, a silver Navara pickup truck from which he uses for the sale of his produce in Kingstown.

On September 27, 2024 about 5:00 p.m Johnson was sitting at the back of the pickup truck that was parked at the side of Coreas Hardware building. He was selling yams, dasheens and coconuts.

While there, Matthews approached the truck and took up one dasheen and one yam. He then placed the yam on a scale. Johnson informed him that the yam weighed two pounds.

Matthews tried to flee with the dasheen and the yam without paying for them, so Johnson held on to one of his hands and took them away.

Matthews got annoyed, took up a Carib beer bottle from the said truck and pelted it towards Johnson. Johnson swayed out of the way, and the bottle struck the rear wind shield causing it to shatter.

Matthews ran away, but Johnson gave chase. When he caught up with Matthews, he held on to his green vest, then asked him how he was going to pay for the wind shield.

Matthews boxed Johnson several times in his face causing him to sustain injuries. Johnson held on to Matthews; they both fell to the ground and began to wrestle.

Oneil Jack, a bystander held on to Johnson and advised him to report the matter to the police. After the report was made, Matthews was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department.

A written statement was recorded from Johnson, and investigations were carried out into the matter. The scene was visited. CCTV footage of the incident were obtained, and witness statements were recorded.

Matthews was cautioned in the presence of another police officer and shown the CCTV footage of the incident. Matthews pointed to a man wearing a green vest and blue half pants on the footage and said, “officer look me dey”

Matthews was reminded that he was still under caution, and was interviewed in the presence of another police officer. Matthews gave no written statement, but verbally said “officer me nar give no statement. After me watch the video, me see me bin wrong and could have do thing different.”

Matthews was then charged for the offences of damage to property, and assault bodily harm. After the facts were read, Matthews told the court that he didn’t try to run with the produce and was violated more than Johnson was in the incident.

He said that he paid Johnson for the produce after weighing them but, “ I decided that I didn’t want it any more so I asked back for the money”.

However, Matthews said that Johnson accused him of not paying for the produce.

Mathews called the incident a “big misunderstanding.” He told the court that he was stabbed and bruised during the altercation and pelted a bottle at Matthews but it ended up hitting the vehicle instead.

After hearing the facts and Matthews’ argument, the Senior Magistrate reprimanded and discharged Matthews, but ordered him to compensate Johnson in the amount of $2,205.16 for the broken window. Hearing in the assault charge was adjourned and transferred to Kingstown Magistrate Court for trial.