Pastor to spend a year in prison for punching stepson repeatedly
Published:Monday | May 12, 2025 | 5:27 PM
A St Catherine-based pastor who pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on Monday, while his co-accused, his wife, has been remanded until Friday.
The court was told that in February 2024 the pastor went to the school of the seven-year-old complainant, who is his stepson, grabbed him and punched him repeatedly.
The matter was reported to the police and a probe launched, which resulted in the arrest and charge of the pastor. His wife was subsequently charged with negligence for failing to report the matter.
When the matter came up in the St Catherine Parish Court on Monday, Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle told the pastor that it was a violent act and the sentence must reflect that.
The pastor was then ordered to serve the custodial sentence.
Sentencing of his wife, who has also pleaded guilty to the charge against her, was put off until Friday.
- Rasbert Turner
Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.