A CONTRACTOR who kicked his former employee, who went to collect outstanding wages, was fined $10,000 on a charge of common assault by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Monday.

The 45-year-old, Mario Nimatali, appeared at the New Amsterdam Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Police Sergeant Phillip Sherriff, prosecuting, said that Kelvin Madramootoo was employed as a chauffeur by the defendant. On September 14 last year, the virtual complainant was at the Albion Estate when the defendant approached him, saying he was no longer in his employ.
However, the unwritten arrangement was that for every trip made in transporting sugar or molasses from the Albion Estate to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, a ticket would be issued. Subsequently, all accumulated tickets would be submitted for payment. But following his dismissal, Madramootoo approached the wife of the defendant, who is the financial officer, for his money. He was given $15,000 and was told to return for the balance.
On October 3, he visited his former employer at his Strand Road residence where the defendant was seated on his stairway having lunch.
The virtual complainant requested his money. But the defendant became annoyed, and while using a series of expletives told his former employee that he had nothing to get.
The complainant admitted that he raised his voice, and it was during this period Nimatali raised his right foot and kicked him.
As a result, he went to the Central Police Station where ranks subsequently instituted the charge.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Ramesh Rakjumar told the court that the virtual complainant had approached his former employer while under the influence of alcohol.
The lawyer conceded that there was some measure of anger between the duo and that his client was regretful over the incident.