By Tahna Weston
A dispute over a case of water landed the deputy director of sports before the court resulting in him having to pay compensation to the victim.
Evans “Jawaķie” Jones pleaded guilty to two charges, malicious damage and battery.
Jones appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason in St John’s Magistrate’s Court where he was ordered to pay the victim Paul Steele $1,500 compensation, which was a portion of the cost the complainant paid for his glasses, valued $2,000, and which was damaged during the incident.
While imposing the sentence, Wason told Jones that he was a man who people looked up to and he should not have been involved in such an altercation.
If he fails to pay the money within the stipulated 60-day time frame – by February 10 next year – he will serve a 30-day prison sentence.
The magistrate also made a restitution order for the damaged glasses to be returned to Steele forthwith, although he has replaced them.
According to the facts of the case, on October 5, 2023, Jones reportedly attempted to take a case of water from the YMCA Sports Complex at the conclusion of a regional netball tournament.
This action was against regulations and Steele intervened and tried to stop him, but Jones reportedly insisted in taking the water. Steele then left to seek the intervention of a police officer who was stationed at the venue; however, the officer was not at her post.
Steele told the court that Jones kept insisting that he wanted to exit the venue, but he would not allow him to leave with the water. He said each team was given a case of water to use at the venue; however, removing it from the grounds without proper authorization was against the rules.
The victim said that Jones then dropped the water and grabbed him by the throat, during which his glasses was damaged.
Jones in reply told the court that he and Steele were friends and not casual acquaintances which was the impression given. He said he was the physio-therapist for one of the visiting netball teams and the deputy director of sports at the time the incident occurred.
Jones admitted to the court that as Steele was telling him he could not leave with the case of water he asked: “Who is going to stop me?”
Magistrate Wason chastised both men, telling them their behaviour was not fitting for two grown respectable members of the society.
“Ee nah look good. You should set a better example. This is demeaning,” Wason said.
Jones then told the magistrate that he had already apologised to Steele and the Netball Association.
Steele complained to the court that Jones had gone on Facebook and bragged about pushing him.
However, the deputy director of sports apologized to the victim in open court and they later shook hands.
“I humbly apologize to you [Steele]. Can I shake his hand,” Jones had queried of the court.
