BY TASHIEKA MAIR, STAR WRITER
western bureau
POPULAR MONTEGO BAY policeman, Winston 'Chawfine' Campbell, is now facing criminal charges for a two-year-old incident in which he allegedly used a service pistol to hit a man in the face at a football match.
District Constable Campbell was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 for a charge of unlawful wounding when he appeared before the Montego Bay Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
The charges were levelled against Campbell following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in January.
The allegations are that on May 23, 2004, the complainant went to a football match at Jarrett Park. He paid money at the gate where there were several police officers on duty.
It is further alleged that as the man was entering the venue, he saw someone he knew, who appeared to want to enter without paying.
It is said that he told the police to allow the man to enter, but was told to go about his business and was verbally assaulted by Campbell, and there was a subsequent argument.
The officer reportedly closed the gate and grabbed him, telling him that he was disrespecting the police. The complainant however told him that he was only responding in the same manner as the officer.
A crowd gathered as Campbell and the complainant engaged in a struggle during which it is alleged that the officer pulled his firearm and used it to hit the complainant in his face, causing a wound to his right eye.
However, defence attorney, Dalton Reid, told the court that his client was acting in self-defence as the accuser was the first to punch Campbell.
Mr. Reid also argued that the complainant did not pay to enter Jarrett Park but that he and his friend attempted to enter as the officer opened the gate to allow a car to enter.
Campbell is to return to court on May 31.
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