Vendor in Viral Urination Video Fined $300,000 in Montego Bay

Montego Bay, St. James — A vendor who gained infamy after a video showing her urinating in a bottle near the Charles Gordon Market went viral last year has been fined $300,000.

Denese Adams, who sold yams and other produce near the market, pleaded guilty to four charges when she appeared before Judge Kaysha Grant Pryce in the St. James Parish Court on Monday.

Adams was fined $100,000 or 10 days in jail for operating a food handling business without a permit and an additional $100,000 or 10 days in jail for failing to apply for a food handler’s permit. She was also fined $100,000 for unlawful urination and storing urine in a vehicle used for transporting and storing food without washing her hands afterward.

She was, however, admonished and discharged on the fourth charge of offering food for sale that was exposed to contamination and human waste.

During her initial court appearance in September last year, Adams had pleaded not guilty to the charges brought by the St. James Health Department, which cited breaches of the Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations 1998 (Revised 2000).

In her defence, Adams claimed that knee problems made it difficult for her to move freely.

The case emerged after a video showed Adams urinating in a vehicle and storing the urine in a bottle inside. The footage sparked widespread public outrage and highlighted ongoing issues with food safety standards.

Adams’ case is the latest in a series of incidents involving unsanitary practices among vendors. Notably, a crab vendor at Kingston’s Crab Circle was banned from selling after being caught defecating in a bucket at her stall. Additionally, Boston Jerk in Portland faced temporary closure as health officials clamped down on longstanding sanitation issues, though it has since reopened.

Health authorities continue to urge vendors to comply with public health standards to ensure consumer safety and prevent similar incidents.