53-year-old Clifton Scatliffe cries in court

A tearful Clifton Scatliffe was remanded in custody yesterday, pending sentencing for violating a court order that stipulated he should stay away from his sister.

When he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards, the 53-year-old offender pleaded guilty to breach of a protection order.

Magistrate Richards remanded him after learning that he did not only breach the order, but also made ‘very serious threats’ against his sibling.

“The things you said to your sister; those aren’t things to joke about,” Magistrate Richards told Scatliffe without openly stating the alleged threat.

The senior magistrate noted that she was minded to sentence the offender yesterday.

But, in light of the reported threats, she needed more time to consider the penalty.

The offence for which Scatliffe is charged comes with a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Scatliffe’s attorney Ruthilia Maximea told the court that her client only breached the protection order because he wanted to feed his animals.

Maximea added that Scatliffe – who wept openly in court – was remorseful.

What happened

Reports are that High Court judge Vickie Ann Ellis issued the protection order on Scatliffe some time in November last year.

Among other things, he was told to not visit his sister’s Fahie Hill residence under any circumstance.

However, the court heard that Scatliffe went there on the night of January 19 and allegedly harassed his sibling.

The matter was reported to the police who met Scatliffe at his sister’s residence where he also lived.

When cautioned by police, the offender reportedly said: “But the court ain’t give me enough time to move.”

The prosecution however noted that Scatliffe had until November 20 last year to vacate the premises.

Additionally, police were supposed to accompany him to the residence when he was relocating.

In court, the prosecution agreed that Scatliffe had never been in trouble with the law before. It however noted: “We are alarmed that his debut in the criminal arena is an offence of this magnitude.”

Scatliffe is scheduled for sentencing on February 8.