Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A Green Pond, St James contractor wept openly as he and another man appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday for fighting in public.

The contractor, Dwight Gibbs pleaded not guilty to unlawful wounding and using indecent language. His co-accused, Clive Christian, pleaded guilty to assault at common law.

Christian told Resident Magistrate (RM) Vivienne Harris that he and Gibbs were co-workers and that they had an argument over $3,000 that Gibbs reportedly owed him.

"I said to him, please, I need my money, and him start fi tell me fi ... and him will send Green Pond man fi come shoot me," Christian reported.

"You were fighting with him (Christian) in a public place?" RM Harris asked Gibbs.

"It was self-defence," Gibbs answered, having regained some composure.

Gibbs was offered $50,000 bail with two sureties. Both men were ordered to submit their fingerprints to the police. Gibbs' case will be mentioned again on September 19. while Christian will return the same day for sentencing.

medical certificate

The medical certificate for Christian is expected to be on file by the return date.

Reports are that on August 9, at around 11:10 a.m., Christian chased Gibbs with a shovel near the Shell gas station on St James Street. Gibbs went inside the station and returned moments later with three bottles of liquid which he then threw at Christian, causing a standstill in traffic.

The men were taken to the Freeport Police Station shortly after. While waiting on the prisoners' bench at the station, Gibbs reportedly took off his shoe and struck Christian on the head with it, causing a wound. Both men were arrested and charged.