PNP caretaker in St Thomas charged with assault arising from alleged altercation with police

People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Thomas West, Hubert Williams, is to appear in the St Thomas Parish Court on August 13, along with three other PNP activists, in relation to charges of assault and obstruction arising from an alleged altercation with the police in Danvers Pen last Friday.

The former mayor said he was served with two summonses during a meeting called by the police with political candidates on Monday.

According to him, he was not provided with details about the circumstances from which the charges arise.

“I am trying to know when that incident occurred, because I never committed that act, so I don’t know when that incident occurred,” he told The Gleaner on Tuesday.

“I didn't touch anybody, I didn't use any derogatory words at any time to a police officer, so I need to understand when I assaulted [anyone],” he said.

Denying the alleged assault, he surmised that the charges stem from his efforts to intervene in an incident in which a man said to be mentally ill was allegedly being assaulted by the police.

“I believe if you are going to touch somebody, you are going to have to touch them,” he said.

“I didn’t touch anyone,” he continued, adding that there is video evidence that will vindicate him of any wrongdoing.

According to Williams, he witnessed a police officer beating a man said to be of unsound mind and approached them out of concern.

He further stated that two officers were present—one acted professionally, while the other was allegedly beating the man.

The PNP candidate added that he simply said to the officer, “Control the situation,” but the officer continued beating the man even after bystanders arrived and shared that the individual had mental health challenges.

Williams said he is looking forward to his day in court to clear his name, claiming that the charges are politically motivated.

Operations officer for the parish, Deputy Superintendent Michael Campbell, confirmed that Williams has been summoned to appear in court in relation to an alleged altercation involving police, but declined to share further details.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, 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.