By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who admitted to detaining his infant son and the child’s mother last month in Abaco was fined on Friday for harm caused to both.
The 20-year-old defendant, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the infant, locked the child’s mother and their three-week-old son inside his home in Marsh Harbour against their will following a verbal altercation on December 22, 2025.
Prosecutors said the defendant injured the young woman during the incident and caused unnecessary suffering to the infant.
The defendant was initially arraigned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville on December 29, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful detention, causing harm, and cruelty to children.
However, after spending the past three weeks in custody, he changed his plea to guilty on all counts.
In addressing the court, the defendant apologised for his actions, saying he did not intend to hurt either complainant.
After cautioning the defendant about controlling his anger, Magistrate Serville fined him $2,500 for unlawful detention and $2,000 for cruelty to children. Failure to pay either fine would result in an 18-month prison term. He was also fined $500 for causing harm, or risk one month in prison.
Inspector Cordero Farrington prosecuted the matter, while Levan Johnson represented the accused.
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