Dispute over hickey leaves woman injured; boyfriend charged

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A dispute over an alleged love bite on a woman’s neck reportedly turned violent, leaving her with injuries to her face, chest and back after she was allegedly struck repeatedly by her boyfriend. Nathan Gayle appeared in the St James Parish Court last Wednesday before Senior Parish Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton, charged with assault occasioning bodily harm. The court heard that the incident occurred on August 9 while the complainant was at home with Gayle. He reportedly confronted her and demanded to know who had given her a hickey on her neck. The complainant told him that she could not speak to him while he was in that state. However, Gayle allegedly continued the confrontation, striking her repeatedly while accusing her of being unfaithful. Fearing further violence, the woman eventually managed to escape through a back door and ran to a neighbour’s house, where she sought refuge. Following the incident she reportedly experienced pain and swelling to the left side of her face, including her left eye, as well as her chest and back. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who arrested Gayle and charged him in connection with the alleged assault. Following his appearance, Fairclough-Hylton extended Gayle’s bail and set the matter for mention on November 4.