Resort caretaker freed of assault charge

After admitting that he allowed persons into the Umbrella Resort who eventually tried to damage the property, the caretaker was yesterday advised by a city magistrate to “don’t flex” again.

Peter Alonzo, 52, of Upper Kuru Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan accused of unlawfully assaulting Leroy Smith and using abusive language towards the man on August 9 at the resort. Alonzo pleaded guilty to both charges.

When given an opportunity to explain himself, Alonzo said that he was the caretaker of the resort and had been approached by Smith and two of the man’s friends. The men, he said, had requested to use the creek for free.

Though he refused at first, Alonzo eventually acquiesced and allowed the men in.

However, he went on, while in the creek the men began pulling at PVC pipes that “had been placed there for a purpose.” Alonzo tried to stop the men from the vandalism but they became enraged and continued. A misunderstanding soon followed and Smith left with the ominous warning, “I’ll teach you a lesson.”

He subsequently returned with police officers and claimed that Alonzo had chucked him and used abusive language. Alonzo was arrested and later charged with the offences.

“In the future you’ll learn to play by the rules and don’t flex,” McLennan advised after Alonzo’s explanation. “You flexed with the wrong persons.”

Alonzo was then reprimanded and had the matters against him discharged.