Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta is flanked by his two horses, MR SKILL (Shane Ellis) at right and NATURALLY ROYAL (Jason Simpson) after finishing first and second, respectively, in the overnight allowance race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park last Saturday. MR SKILL, a 5-2 chance, was one of four winners for Ellis. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Nehemiah Shaw, the Mavado entourage member, who attacked Caymanas Track Limited security boss Jason McKay on Derby Day, June 14, at Caymanas Park, was yesterday slapped with a 12-month suspended sentence in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court.
The incident involved a dispute among members of the dancehall DJ's entourage, which clashed with police and security personnel at Caymanas Track in the official car park.
McKay, a district constable stationed in the parish, was assisting other police personnel to effect an arrest on one entourage member, who had pulled a knife.
McKay was hit from behind by Shaw, resulting in the district constable and several on-duty police personnel wrestling him to the ground before hauling him off to the St. Catherine Divisional Headquarters, the 'Hundred Man' police station in Greater Portmore.
Stand-off
The incident lasted approximately 30 minutes, a result of a stand-off between the police and the 40-man strong crew.
McKay yesterday said the length of Perry's sentence did not matter to him.
"Once we were able to effect an arrest, despite obstruction from other members of entourage, the victory was won at that point, as far as I am concerned," he said.
"The message must be sent that hooliganism at the track and in the parish will not be tolerated. When a decision is taken to arrest you, it will be carried out by any means necessary," he added.
Shaw, in his defence, in an earlier appearance in court, had said he was not aware he had attacked a policeman.
After being sentenced yesterday, Shaw claimed he had not attacked McKay.
The judge refused to accept his explanation. Shaw will next face the court in December on related charges of resisting arrest and assaulting the police during the incident.
