Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man accused of assaulting a security guard at the Cornwall Regional Hospital and tearing his shirt, is to undergo psychiatric evaluation on orders from the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

Kareem Hines, from Mount Salem, pleaded guilty with explanation to assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property against Warren Clarke. The court subsequently changed the plea to not guilty.

Allegations are that on January 9, Hines, while visiting the hospital, got into an argument with Clarke. A fight ensued, during which Clarke's shirt was torn, and Hines was later arrested and charged.

two security

In court, Hines explained that the dispute began when he got into a fuss with a nurse on the hospital ward.

"As I entered the ward, she (nurse) was coming out and we 'bucked' up, and she said, 'Why dem nuh take dis destruction out of the hospital,' and I said, 'Why you don't leave me alone?'" Hines told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small. "When I came out, two security come and said they got a call that I threatened somebody and they need me at the security office. I went through the gate, and this man (Clarke) ran out of the office and said, 'You nah get away today,' and he pushed me on the bench and draped me up."

RM Wong-Small reprimanded Hines for arguing with the hospital staff inside the ward.

"I realise you think you're a law unto yourself, but that is not how it works. How can you be on the ward arguing with someone? If you're arguing, take it off the ward," said RM Wong-Small. "It is clear that they were trying to restrain you until the police came. Your behaviour is bad."

Meanwhile, Hines's mother told the court that her son is taking medication for psychiatric issues.

"My son, he is epileptic and he has a psychiatric problem. I would not be able to tell you what happened (with allegations) as I was not there," the mother revealed.

"Is he still on medication?" asked RM Wong-Small.

"Yes, miss, he has his medication," the woman answered.

A psychiatric evaluation was subsequently ordered for Hines. He was instructed to return to court on April 5.