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Man apologises to former sprinter

Former sprinter Juliet Cuthbert - File

ST. CATHERINE

JUNIOR BAILEY, A man who apologised to former Jamaican sprinter and athletics icon Juliet Cuthbert in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court last week where he appeared on charges of dangerous driving and assault, got a mild shock when he was fined $4,000 or 30 days' imprisonment.

Bailey, who is from Ebony Vale, is employed by the Ebony Vale HEART National Training Agency.

The court was told that Cuthbert was driving a Honda CRV along the Spanish Town bypass on April April 25 at about 3:00 pm. She overtook Bailey's vehicle and he immediately drove her down and started to drive in a dangerous manner attempting to run her off the road on at least three occasions while using expletives.

Serious offence

He eventually passed her and she wrote down his licence number. A report was made to the Central Village police, and investigations led to Bailey's arrest on charges of dangerous driving and assault.

When he appeared before Lorna Errar-Gayle, Bailey's lawyer Lancelot Clarke told the court that his client was willing to apologise to Miss Cuthbert and be on his way. The judge stopped Clarke mid-sentence. "Mr. Clarke, it is a serious offence and he must be charged with dangerous driving, even if he apologises," the magistrate exclaimed.

Bailey then pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous driving and was fined. The assault charge was dropped.

In his apology to Miss Cuthbert, Bailey said, "I am sorry for the terror that I may have caused you, Miss Cuthbert." This resulted in disruption of the proceedings forcing the police to call for order in the court.