‘He rough and rude’ - Granny helps jail violent grandson in St Vincent

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC): An 80-year-old grandmother all but sealed her grandson's fate behind bars after telling a magistrate that a suspended sentence would not change his violent behaviour.

As a result, 38-year-old Jamel Douglas was sentenced to 11 months in prison for assaulting his grandmother, Kerhen Jacobs, on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, causing actual bodily harm.

Douglas was also ordered to compensate Jacobs EC$270 for her cellphone, which he smashed during the same incident. He has two months after his release to pay the money or face an additional six months in prison.

Chief Magistrate Colin John had asked Jacobs whether she supported the prosecution's suggestion that Douglas be given a suspended sentence. Her response was blunt.

"Well, I can't go against the court. Whatever the court says, I have to satisfy. That ain't mean that he going behave himself better. He is very rough and rude. Sometimes you talk to him and he listen, other times he don't," Jacobs said.

Douglas first appeared in court on December 29, where he pleaded guilty to damaging Jacobs' black Nokia cellphone, valued at EC$270, and to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on Boxing Day, Jacobs was on the porch of her home speaking with a friend when Douglas arrived and sat on a table. Although they live in separate houses in the same yard, Jacobs asked him to excuse himself as she was in conversation.

Instead, Douglas reportedly jumped onto the table and became aggressive.

Jacobs attempted to make a phone call, but Douglas snatched the phone from her hand, squeezing the fourth finger on her left hand before slamming the device to the ground and leaving the scene.

During sentencing, prosecutor Shamrack Pierre suggested a suspended sentence, but Jacobs told the court that Douglas had repeatedly been aggressive toward her.

In mitigation, Douglas gave what the court described as a rambling explanation, citing a history of mental illness and claiming unfair treatment by family members. After being prompted by the magistrate, he apologised to his grandmother while continuing to make excuses.

In delivering sentence, Magistrate John reminded Douglas that a person's home is their castle.

"Your grandmother should be allowed to enjoy her home in comfort without disturbance by you. You are a big man; you are 38 years old, and you should not be going there to harass your grandmother," the magistrate said.

"I have to ensure that at least for the next 11 months your grandmother enjoys some level of comfort without you interfering with her. I hope that you learn when you are in prison and not repeat that behaviour."

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