Father and son settle differences in court

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A father and son, who have been embroiled in a land dispute since 2012, ended their feud in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday and then shook hands before presiding magistrate Sharon Barnes.

Leroy and Richard Cummings, who are both of a Rhyne Park address in St James, were before the court facing charges of assaulting each other. The matter was settled after the filing of a no-order submission on the men's behalf, which resulted in the case being dismissed.

The duo had been in a long-standing dispute over a house and driveway constructed on the family property, which saw them frequently going to court to hash out their quarrel. Previous attempts at mediation had failed.

However, when the case was called up on Monday, Resident Magistrate Sheron Barnes threatened to remand both men in custody to force them to work out their differences.

"It is a father and son. It is blood. It is thicker than water, and they are going to a cell at the Freeport Police Station to work it out," Barnes declared. "Whose house is it?"

"It is Richard's (the son), but it is on his father's land with his father's permission," said attorney-at-law Jacqueline Minto, who spoke on behalf of Richard Cummings.

Leroy Cummings' lawyer, Martyn Thomas, expressed a desire on behalf of his client for the matter to be resolved amicably.

"He was hoping that all of it would be over today," said Thomas.

Eventually, father and son shook hands in a show of good faith and even exchanged an embrace in full view of the court.

"I hope when we go home that it won't be just shaking hands alone but that we will live good," said Leroy Cummings, expressing the hope that peace would reign.

"Gentlemen, the two of you live in the house and you are father and son. Oonu haffi look out for each other. Work it out!" Barnes instructed the pair before making the no-order motion and dismissing the case.