St Catherine councillor assaulted by man over parking, probe launched by police

The Spanish Town police in St Catherine are searching for a man who slapped a parish councillor today, leaving her face bloody and causing her to seek medical attention.

Councillor for the Angels Division Patricia Harris was assaulted by the man after they reportedly got into an argument over where she parked her vehicle.

Following her attendance at a meeting at the corporation, Harris went to an area used for parking near the municipal building to retrieve her vehicle, which was parked at the entrance of the lot.

She was confronted by the man who took issue that her vehicle blocked his 'hustle' at the parking area.

Harris was slapped by the man, which left her face bruised and bloody.

The injured councillor was subsequently rushed to medical attention.

The man fled the scene.

The incident has been strongly condemned by councillors.

"This incident occurred just one week after I proposed for proper protection on the building. I am now imploring the Minister of National Security [and] the Local Government Minister to make it a priority to protect us, as it is Patricia Harris now but who next, “ Councillor Sydney Rose said. 

Councillor Herbert Garriques of the Linstead Division said it was a sad situation.

"I mean she just attended the Road and Infrastructure meeting and returned to remove her vehicle and she was assaulted by this person," Garriques said.

Spanish Town Mayor and municipal corporation chairman Norman Scott could not be reached for comment on the incident.

- Rasbert Turner

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