SHELDON WILLIAMS, STAFF Reporter

A scuffle between a policeman and an accused man left the lawman bare chested and in pain as his uniform shirt was partially ripped from his body during the encounter at the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The row between both men took place in full view of court attendants and staff while court proceedings were in session.

The accused man, Anthony Williams, of a Corporate Area address, was arrested after the scuffle. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct.

A no order was made for another charge, contempt of court. Williams was remanded until August 25 for sentencing.

The tussle between the two occurred in the court's corridor after the complainant attempted to escort the accused away from the Petty Sessions Court at the request of a resident magistrate.

According to the complainant, as he accompanied the accused away from court en route to the holding cell, the accused spun around and held him in front of his uniform shirt and began to thump him to both sides of his face.

It is understood that the complainant was also hit in his right eye and left cheek which caused a swelling in his mouth and thumped in his chest causing pain.

The complainant reportedly tried to restrain the accused but was prevented from doing so as the man continued to administer blows on the lawman which led to a struggle between them.

disrespectful and abusive

Shortly afterwards, other police officers came to his assistance and pulled him free from the grip of the accused.

In his defence, Williams told the court that while he was being escorted by the policeman, the cop became disrespectful and abusive towards him.

According to Williams, the complainant said to him, "You think a she a carry you down?," (in reference to a female officer who was present at the time of the incident).

It was at that point that Williams told the court that he responded by telling the policeman to deal with him like a 'normal citizen' regardless, but the cop insisted in manhandling him.

He also told the court that the lawman was the aggressor as he thumped him first and he responded by returning a thump.

Williams later told the court that "none of unno no know the stress weh me a go through".