A 33-year-old contractor from Corriverton has been ordered to pay an $80,000 fine after admitting that he assaulted an off-duty police officer earlier this year.
Nicholas Matthews, of Number 77 Housing Scheme, appeared on Thursday before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.
Matthews had been charged in connection with a June 1 incident involving Police Lance Corporal Odeal Cort, 25, at Number 79 Village, Corriverton.
When he first appeared in court on June 5, Matthews denied the charge. However, when the matter was called on Thursday for the start of his trial, he informed the court that he wished to accept responsibility.
In addressing the Magistrate, Matthews apologised for his actions and maintained that he was not a bad person. He told the court that Cort, who is attached to the Traffic Department, had stopped him on several occasions over traffic matters. Matthews further alleged that during one of those encounters, the rank pushed a finger into his face.
According to Matthews, he became upset over that incident and later went to a supermarket in search of Cort, where the assault occurred. Earlier proceedings had heard differing accounts of what happened.
Matthews’ attorney, Ryan Crawford, had maintained that the two men became involved in a physical confrontation before members of the public intervened and separated them.
The prosecution, however, had alleged that Matthews was the aggressor and struck Cort with a baseball bat. Cort was reportedly off duty and shopping with his wife when the confrontation occurred.
His attorney, Vinay Punwa, previously told the court that Cort was struck several times and suffered swelling to his left elbow as well as an injury to his index finger.
Punwa also said the police officer experienced severe migraines after the incident and was scheduled to undergo further medical examinations.
The prosecution had also told the court that video footage of the confrontation formed part of the evidence and alleged that Matthews attempted to avoid being arrested.
Matthews was initially remanded to prison after his first court appearance but was later released on bail. After considering his guilty plea and his explanation to the court, Magistrate Hardy imposed a fine of $80,000.
Matthews was given until October 31 to pay the fine. If he fails to do so, he will serve two weeks in prison.
