Long Bush resident Kenyatta Boynes received a $2,000 fine from High Court Justice Nicola Byer on Friday after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm to Aaron Headley in August.
Mr. Boynes, 31, was also charged with stealing Mr. Headley’s scooter, but he pleaded not guilty to that charge and will be tried in High Court.
According to allegations read in court, Mr. Headley was riding his scooter in the Lower Estate area when he saw the defendant standing on the side of the road.
Mr. Boynes reached out and punched the complainant in the face while he was riding by, according to Senior Crown Counsel Leslie-Ann Faulkner.
Mr. Headley managed to maintain control of his bike and continued riding, she said. But when he looked back, he reportedly saw another scooter with two riders following him.
One of the riders of the pursuing scooter was Mr. Boynes, Ms. Faulkner said, and they caught Mr. Headley and told him to stop and get off the bike.
Mr. Headley complied, and Mr. Boynes took the bike and rode away, according to the prosecutor.
As a result of the punch, the complainant allegedly received a broken jaw and had to undergo reconstructive surgery.
Mr. Boynes’ lawyer, E. Leroy Jones, asked Ms. Byer not to impose a custodial sentence, pointing out that this incident is his client’s first conviction and that he has children and a steady job as a welder at Boynes Welding & Iron Works.
Along with the fine, Ms. Byer ordered the defendant to pay $1,500 in compensation.
Mr. Boynes has three months to pay the fine and compensation or he’ll have to serve six months in prison.