Mayor Scott assault case sent to mediation after election clash

What started as an Election Day showdown has now shifted from the polling station to mediation, as Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott's assault case takes a new turn.

Scott, who is accused of hitting a Jamaica Labour Party election day supervisor in the face and smashing her eyeglasses during a heated clash, had his matter referred for mediation when he appeared in the St Elizabeth Parish Court on Monday.

The mayor is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property.

Senior Parish Court Judge Steve Stewart made the referral after both Scott and the complainant, Julie Francis, agreed to try mediation. The case is set to return on June 9.

Allegations are that tensions flared after Scott reportedly overstayed his allotted time at a polling station and was confronted by Francis, who asked him to leave.

The confrontation allegedly spiralled into a physical altercation, with claims that Scott assaulted Francis and damaged her eyeglasses.

The incident was reported to the St Elizabeth police, and an investigation led to charges being laid against Scott.

However, Scott has also claimed that he was assaulted during the Election Day fracas.

He is represented by attorney Charles Ganga-Singh, while King's Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson appears on behalf of the complainant.

- Rasbert Turner

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