By Rasbert Turner, Gleaner WriterSPANISH TOWN:
THE 42-YEAR-OLD personal driver assigned to Spanish Town's Mayor Raymoth Notice has accused his boss of assault occasioning bodily harm and making threats against his life. He has since lodged a complaint with the Spanish Town police.
The complainant, Basil Henry, who has been working in the capacity of driver for the town's mayor for the last 13 years, told The Gleaner yesterday that about 4:15 p.m. last Saturday he was on the premises at Dr. Notice's medical practice at 37 Wellington Street, Spanish Town, when he was summoned by the mayor to his office.
It was while inside the office that Mr. Henry said he got the shock of his life. He claimed the mayor turned off a television set that was playing and then proceeded to ask him some pointed questions. "Him ask how long I was working for the mayor as a driver and I said 13 years sah," Mr. Henry said. He charged that the mayor accused him of being a traitor, asking him, "Why yu nuh stop carry news to mi wife."
Mr. Henry said he was then told to leave the office, to which he began professing his innocence.
Mr. Henry said that he then got up and was about to leave when he was grabbed by his shirt from behind and was punched in the right ear by Dr. Notice. He said that he was also kicked in the groin and was squeezed in the neck by the mayor. He noted that he was then threatened. "Him seh a gwine put a shot between you two eye," Mr. Henry said. When contacted, Dr. Notice said that it was only after Mr. Henry's "psychotic behaviour" that he was forced to restrain him. In a release, the mayor's office said: "It was after Henry attempted to assault the secretary/nurse, he was res-trained and assisted to leave the office. I regret Jones' unusual behaviour and as his personal medical doctor, I am surprised and dismayed at the public psychotic outburst of Mr. Henry and wish to assure other patients and the public at large that I do not condone this sort of behaviour, neither will it be repeated."
Mr. Henry explained that in addition to reporting the matter to the police, he has sought and received medical attention for his injuries.
The Spanish Town police have confirmed receiving a report of the alleged incident, noting that an investigation was under way.
