Taxi man in viral machete attack also accused of sexually assaulting minor

A Trelawny taxi operator who was recently charged with unlawful wounding following a machete attack that went viral on social media is now facing further charges of sexual assault of a minor.

Charged is 42-year-old Cleon Buckle of Freeman's Hall district in Albert Town, Trelawny.

Police say Buckle was arrested and charged on Friday, September 19 by the Ulster Spring police in relation to a machete attack on a woman earlier this month.

Since then investigators from the Trelawny Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse have revealed that an arrest warrant had previously been issued for Buckle in a separate case.

He is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the minor in 2024. Arrangements are being made for him to be interviewed and formally charged with these additional offences.

Buckle is scheduled to appear in the Ulster Spring Parish Court on Monday, October 6, to answer to the unlawful wounding charge.

According to police reports, about 10:30 a.m. on September 14, a woman went to Buckle's home to retrieve a car key. An argument developed, during which Buckle allegedly used a machete to strike her on the arm before continuing to inflict several more wounds.

The woman reported the incident to the police, triggering an investigation that led to Buckle's arrest.

Investigations into both matters are ongoing.

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