Misunderstanding lands supermarket workers in court

Two Survival Supermarket employees yesterday found themselves before a court after a workplace misunderstanding turned violent.

Davenand Cooblall pleaded not guilty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to the July 6 charge which alleges that at Survival Supermarket, he unlawfully assaulted co-worker Alan Thornton.

When asked if he wanted to pursue the matter against his co-worker, Thornton responded in the negative, requesting that Magistrate Fabayo Azore only warn Cooblall.

According to Thornton, he and Cooblall had a misunderstanding on the day in question, but after giving it much thought he decided against pursuing the matter.

He said he understood that people may at times do and say things which they do not mean when in a fit of anger and as a result he decided not to continue with the matter.

When given a chance to speak, Cooblall said that he works as a delivery clerk at the supermarket, while Thornton is a security guard. He said that Thornton’s designation entails ensuring that customers have parking spaces in the supermarket’s parking lot. On the day in question, Cooblall said, one customer’s vehicle was blocking the entry of another vehicle into the parking lot but Thornton did nothing to remedy the situation.

He said that this prompted him to approach his co-worker to ascertain what the problem was, when Thornton began pointing his hand in his face, which he [Cooblall] brushed away.

After hearing both parties, the magistrate warned the defendant against getting into further problems with Thornton and told them that they should not allow this issue to hinder their relations at work. She encouraged the men, who both agreed to work in unity for the furtherance of themselves and place of work.

The matter was then dismissed since the complainant decided against offering evidence.