Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man accused of stealing another man's car earlier this month is to return to the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on January 23 next year, after undergoing psychiatric treatment at the suggestion of the court.

Roxroy Haughton, from Mount Salem, is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and robbery with aggravation. He was offered $100,000 bail with two sureties last Wednesday.

Allegations are that on November 1, Haughton attacked the complainant, knocking him to the ground before stealing his car. However, in fleeing the scene, the car crashed some 150 yards away. Haughton was held by residents, who turned him over to the police. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

In court, Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small made the order for psychiatric evaluation after conversing briefly with Haughton's mother, who explained to the court that he had been acting strangely.

"How is he doing?" Wong-Small asked, regarding the defendant's psychiatric status.

"On Tuesday night, he wasn't sleeping well, and he said he was hearing voices," Haughton's mother answered.

"Well, he needs a referral to the Cornwall Regional Hospital," Wong-Small said.

As part of his bail conditions, Haughton is to report to the Mount Salem Police Station every Monday and Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.