St Ann man remanded over alleged assault on wife after Instagram post

A St. Ann man accused of violently attacking his wife after she placed their wedding pictures on his Instagram account has been remanded in custody, with the unlawful wounding case now headed to the St. Ann Parish Court.

Devon Makugan, of Bamboo, St. Ann, appeared before the St. James Parish Court on Wednesday on the new allegation involving his wife. The court heard that the complainant, who travelled from the United States to Jamaica to see him, became emotional as prosecutors outlined the claims.

The alleged incident took place about 7:30 a.m. on May 27 at a short-term rental property in Runaway Bay, St. Ann. Prosecutors said Makugan became angry after the online post and allegedly beat the woman, attempted to choke her, urinated on her, spat in her face and threw a phone at her, causing an injury. It was also alleged that he took vehicle keys to stop her from leaving.

The court was told that another dispute occurred around 11:30 a.m. at the same property. Makugan later allegedly tried to take the complainant to the airport in Montego Bay, St. James, for a scheduled flight, but a further confrontation reportedly happened in Discovery Bay. The woman, fearing the vehicle could be driven off the road and that one or both of them could be killed, got out. Passers-by assisted her to the airport, where she made a police report.

Makugan was arrested at the airport bus depot and later charged. Under caution, he reportedly told police, "Officer, I'm a wife. You don't know the kind of woman she is." He had been granted station bail.

During the hearing, the complainant said she still loved her husband, had paid her own way to Jamaica to see him, and had urged him to seek therapy because she was unsure what could happen next.

Judge Naticia Fairclough-Hylton told the woman to consider what she was prepared to accept and whether the relationship was worth the cost to her physical and mental health. After hearing that Makugan was already on bail in St. Ann for another matter, the judge revoked that bail, remanded him until July 2 and transferred the case, noting that the St. James court had no jurisdiction because the alleged offence occurred in another parish.