The police in the peaceful community of Bensonton, St Ann, had to step in last week after a man was reportedly beaten by several people after claims were made that he tried to obeah another resident.

THE WEEKEND STAR learnt that the man had to be hospitalised after receiving several injuries. When contacted yesterday the Claremont police confirmed the incident.

It is said that the dispute between the men sent shock waves throughout the usually quiet district.

Reports are that the incident happened after a resident learnt that two brothers from his community were allegedly using obeah against him.

When contacted the man said that the incident occurred after a dispute about money.

He explained that he had received some money for a job done, however, the brothers with whom he worked believed he got more than he had divulged. This he said led one of the men to kill a goat belonging to his brother and blaming it on him.

He further said that sometime after the incident took place, he received information from a reliable source that the brothers were casting obeah spells on him. "Mi hear say dem go science man, mi know say dem cyan read so mi hear say dem carry it to dem niece fi read so is like she refuse ... and them pay someone else fi read it but dem neva get through," he remarked.

Upon receiving this information he said that he went to the men's home, however, they were not there at the time.

He said he later returned to the house and pushed their house door which was left open. "When it open mi see a scandal bag and when mi look inna the bag mi see a piece of paper with mi name on it," he said.

He further claimed that he discovered his name on several other strips of paper and carved out in a big black candle. There were also three bottles containing an oily substance inside.

The man said that he took the strips of paper, candle and liquid items from the house and confronted one of the brothers; "Mi tell him fi drink it and him refuse cause is fi me so mi tell him say if it good fi me it good fi him."

It is also alleged that the dispute drew the attention of several men in the community who accosted the brothers and took them to an area known as York. It is at that point that the man was said to have been beaten.