Winston Gayle, who lives a stone's throw away from Vale Royale in St Andrew, had a Justice of the Peace (JP) stamp taken away by the police yesterday. He lives in the house to his right and claims to have been a JP for more than 30 years. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

A fascinating scene played out in front of Vale Royal in St Andrew yesterday, as police swooped down on one of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's neighbours who has allegedly been operating illegally as a justice of the peace.

The Gleaner had gone to 6 Montrose Road to speak with 62-year-old Winston Gayle, an informal settler who lives in a decrepit hut less than 100 metres from the prime minister's picturesque, official residence, when the police drove up and asked him for his justice of the peace official paraphernalia.

Earlier that day, Gayle had proudly told The Gleaner he had been a justice of the peace for 36 years. However, the police showed The Gleaner the contents of a letter addressed to the commissioner of police, from the Lay Magistrates' Association, which stated that Gayle was not registered as a justice of the peace.

Evasive and stuttering

It was at this point that Gayle, who still insisted he was a justice of the peace, became evasive and had started stutter.

The police eventually unearthed and seized a well-concealed stamp.

The Gleaner had gone to the premises to speak with Gayle, who makes for an interesting neighbour to the prime minister.

Located a mere 100 metres from Vale Royal, Gayle's shack presents a contrast, as does the occupant, who does not drive the big cars of his neighbours. Instead, he makes his way around in an old wheelchair.

The difference does not end there.

Unlike his neighbours, he is not attired in name-brand suits or trendy wear. He is ragged, but seems indifferent to the stark difference. Gayle, who travels around in a wheelchair, makes his way to the intersection of Lady Musgrave Road and Montrose Road, located about 50 metres from his home daily. There he solicits financial assistance from motorists.

Gayle was armed with an intriguing tale of how he ended up being the prime minister's neighbour.

He claimed to have lived at 2 Roseberry Drive in the posh Acadia community when his home was burnt by arsonists in the aftermath of the 2007 general election.

However, the police showed The Gleaner a driver's licence in Gayle's name, which bears the address 17 Villa Road, Mandeville, Manchester.

Gayle related how he had sought refuge on Montrose Avenue and assistance from the Jamaica Labour Party for whom he had campaigned in 2007. According to him, promised assistance from the Government, including a new wheelchair, has not been forthcoming.

Former nightclub owner

Despite his claim that he had been involved in political campaigning, Gayle told The Gleaner he had been confined to a wheelchair since 1985 and bragged about being the former owner of a popular night spot in Constant Spring.

Gayle, who is clearly in need of medical attention, adamantly refuses to go to a golden age home. He said the Government had suggested this course. So did members of the police teams who went to his home yesterday.

"I am not going anywhere ... I am still productive, I just need some help," he declared defiantly.

The policemen told Gayle that he was spared the jail cell because of his condition.

"It is for humanitarian reasons why you are not in prison," one cop told him.