BRENDA JOSEPH, mother of professional footballer Jason Scotland, has denied allegations that her son beat his 48-year-old uncle (her brother) Junior Scotland into an unconscious state during a recent family bacchanal.
Instead, Jason’s mom claimed that the Scottish Premiership League player “only come after the fight start” and had gone to the assistance of brothers Joel and Sheldon Joseph and cousin Marlon Prosper, who at the time were involved in an altercation with their Uncle Junior.
After the vicious beating, Junior had to be rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) where he was warded for massive head and other internal injuries.
TnT Mirror was told that Junior’s near-death experience was as a result of the “bad blood” that has been flowing between the families for the past three years, over the distribution of electricity supply to the Scotland’s two-storey house.
Jason’s mom, admitting that there was a violent confrontation, claimed that the four young men, including the top national footballer, had been provoked by the senior Scotland, and that is what led to the big fight.
However, Scotland’s (Junior) immediate family has disputed Joseph’s side of the story, insisting that the footballer cuffed his uncle twice in the face, another nephew beat him with a hockey stick in his waist, and while he was “brakesing blows”, another beat him unconscious in the head.
Junior Scotland’s wife, Denise, daughter, Alicia, and other members of their family, occupy the top floor of their Laventille Road, Febeau Village, San Juan family house, while nephews Jason, Joel and Sheldon, and Marlon, live downstairs.
Denise and others who spoke to Mirror said ever since Jason was given consent to live downstairs the family’s home, they have known no peace.
Last weekend, mere days after the latest fracas, the former soldier returned to the United Kingdom on a six-month holiday visa.
Scotland, who is yet to secure a work permit, has already begun training with his old club Dundee United.
Meantime, Junior’s relatives remain baffled as to why, two weeks after the incident, police are yet to visit for statements, and also why charges are yet to be laid against anyone.
Members of both warring families officially reported the violent incident to San Juan Police Station.
“That’s what we find unfair,” said Alicia Scotland, daughter of the injured man.
‘My father isn’t out of the woods yet, he’s still bleeding, he has pains in the head and his belly where he was struck with a hockey stick.
“I am wondering if the police are deliberately dragging their feet on the matter.
“And while they are pondering, Jason has been able to leave the country without any problems.
“We are not even sure if he was questioned before he left.
“The other three are also walking around as if nothing has happened.”
The victim’s sister Jocelyn Scotland, who said she hates the advantage being taken of her brother, called it madness.
“I can’t believe they let Jason leave the country, while this matter is being investigated,” she said.
“They are wicked.
“Where is the justice?”
Several reports have been made in the past to the San Juan Police Station about incidents emanating from altercations between the families.
Sometime last year, a charge of possession of a fish gun brought against Scotland (Junior) by his nephews was thrown out.
“And that’s because when they attacked him he had to threaten them with something,” said his wife.
“They have no respect.”
Sources told Mirror it was two Tuesdays ago (August 9) that a badly beaten Scotland (Junior) had to be rushed to EMSCW.
However, following his release from his week long stay at the institution, and claims of further threats on his life, the hapless Febeau Village, San Juan taxi driver is reportedly staying in a safe house.
“We have to keep him away because when they were beating him someone shouted that they wanted to kill him,” shaking wife Denise revealed.
Mirror was told that the family dispute began around six o’clock that fateful Tuesday.
“It was a spill-over from an incident three years ago,” recalled Alicia.
“Three years ago, while Jason lived downstairs, there was constant bickering between my father and Jason over his (Jason) attitude, and the electricity supply to the downstairs apartment was deliberately disconnected, when Junior pulled the plug from upstairs.
“There were all sorts of negative things going on downstairs which he didn’t approve and when Daddy spoke to him about it, there were problems.”
She said that following a confrontation then, Scotland (Junior) was beaten for first time by his nephews.
“Imagine one of his own sisters and her male friend stood up and watched her sons beat their uncle and never tell them anything or even lift a finger to help him,” said Alicia.
Mirror was told that that incident was reported to the San Juan Police Station, but it was later referred to the Family Court, where it was agreed that a separate metre be installed in the downstairs apartment.
According to Alicia, the former Defence Force and Jabloteh footballer left TnT soon after to play professional football in Scotland.
She said during the time Jason was abroad, while there were disputes; they were never of a violent nature.
“Almost coincidentally, from the moment Jason come back, the real war start,” she continued.
She said things came to a head again last Tuesday, when nephew Marlon brought an electrician to open the metre box.
An argument ensued over the electrician going into the box.
“My father had been working all day and had just come out of his car, unaware of what was going on, when they all pounced on him and beat him unconscious,” she further explained.
“They were so angry that when he fell on the ground and his head chucked the wheel of the pickup, somebody jumped in it and wanted to roll it over his head.”
Wife Denise, showing bruises on her elbow, which she said she got when she intervened, told Mirror that she had to fight her way through to save them from further injuring him.
“The wheel was going to run over his head,” the worried Denise said.
“Right now he is suffering serious head and facial injuries, and the bone over his left eye is fractured and he cannot see in it,” she revealed.
“Do they want him to die before someone is arrested”?
She told Mirror: “We are still waiting on one PC Williams ...”
Officers at the San Juan Police Station confirmed to TnT Mirror that Cpl. Hosein is officially in charge of conducting investigations into the matter.