Officials have confirmed that the shirtless man assaulting a nurse in the newly viral video has been charged. The suspect, identified as Robert “Andy” Bell, is a 65-year-old businessman from Grosvenor Terrace. He was taken into custody following a violent confrontation with a nurse in St Andrew. Stony Hill police allege that Bell attacked the victim during a road rage incident on Tuesday evening, May 13. Based on new reports, the incident has been described as an unprovoked attack.
According to Loop News, citing Stony Hill Police reports, Bell was driving a Mercedes-Benz on Mt Friendship Road around 7:15 p.m. He reportedly brought his car to an abrupt stop in front of a nurse’s Toyota Vitz. He then began swerving erratically in front of the nurse’s car. The nurse, who was heading to work, attempted to manoeuvre around him when he reportedly stopped again, exited his Mercedes, thrust his head into her window, and spat in her face. He then began striking the car’s exterior with his fist.
Initial reports say the woman was hauled out of the vehicle by the man, and he allegedly shoved her to the ground and proceeded to strike her repeatedly. The suspect also stepped on the victim’s head, causing her to scream out, which was caught in the footage. The victim sustained swelling and bruises in several places on her body.
During an interview with Nationwide News, the nurse’s uncle told a reporter that the nurse attempted to drive around the man when he was driving recklessly and obstructing traffic. However, when she honked her horn at him, he became aggressive and started arguing. The relative said that was when he exited the vehicle and spat in her face twice.
She threw water from a bottle she had on him the first time he did it, and after he did it the second time, he dragged her out of the vehicle and beat her. The man said his niece is still feeling pain after the attack.
A formal report was made to the police, leading to Bell’s arrest. He has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and remains in police custody pending his first court appearance, which will be scheduled soon.
A subsequent news report also said the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) released a statement, informing the public that it is probing the incident as well. The Jamaica Observer reported that the statement vowed to take the necessary legal action and reminded “licensed firearm holders that brandishing or using a firearm to intimidate or assault a person is a criminal offence.”