PNP’s Norman Scott pleads not guilty to hitting JLP election agent

Norman Scott, Mayor of Spanish Town, pleaded not guilty to assault and property destruction charges in St Elizabeth Parish Court on Monday.

The charges against the People's National Party representative arise from an election day incident in which he is accused of hitting Jamaica Labour Party election day supervisor, Julie Francis, in the face and destroying her glasses.

Scott denies the allegation.

Senior Parish Court Judge, Steve Walters has ordered him to return to court on November 27.

Scott's attorney Charles Ganga-Singh has stated that Scott was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a mob of Jamaica Labour Party supporters at the polling station n St Elizabeth on September 3.

He expressed confidence that when all the evidence is presented in court, including eyewitness accounts and the report of the attack made by Scott, his client will be cleared.

According to reports from the Black River police, around midday Scott stayed inside the polling station longer than the time allowed. When an election agent attempted to point this out, tensions flared.

The situation escalated when another agent tried to intervene, and was reportedly struck in the face by the mayor. His security detail quickly whisked him away from the scene.

The incident was reported to the police, and following investigations, summonses were served on Scott on Friday, September 12.

Scott was defeated by over two thousand votes by the Jamaica Labour Party's Frank Witter in the South East St Elizabeth seat.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.