According to the policeman, a few days later they were again alerted and subsequent checks revealed that the students were paying the man to hit him.

"After hearing that the students were beating another grown man, we made some checks. We visited the area and saw students and queried what occurred. This is when we heard what the man was doing. They call him 'Beating Stick'," he explained.

Though THE WEEKEND STAR was unable to locate Beating Stick, statements from students in the Corporate Area as well as other persons, including vendors, help to tell a funny yet sad tale.

The man is described as a tall, dark-skinned man who always sports a black tam. He is also said to have a scar under one of his eyes.

One group of students boasted to THE WEEKEND STAR that they were the first to solicit Beating Stick's services almost three weeks ago.

"Di group a wi tek bus togeda, so one day wi deh a di bus stop and a likkle man jus' walk up and start talk to wi. At first wi tink seh a something him a go beg, but him neva do dat. Him did have a piece a board inna him hand and him ask if none a wi woulda gi him $50 an' him mek wi lick him wid di board," the student said.

"Di whole a wi seh wi woulda do it 'cause wi tink a joke but him jus' gi one a wi di board and seh a serious ting eno. So di yute gi him $50 and him jus' push up him chest and mek di yute gi him a big lick," the student said while his friends laughed uncontrollably. He added; "... all me pay mi money an' gi him a one lick to."

Another student was quick to state his intention if he gets the chance to meet Beating Stick.

"Me have five bills weh mi save up fi him. Yu know how hard mi work fi save da money deh? A tru yu nuh know how I well waa meet him. Wait til a see him. Five bills a 10 lick nuh so?"

But it's not only students who have been using Beating Stick's services. According to some Half-Way Tree vendors, the man has visited the area on numerous occasions and has been the centre of attraction.

"... One day mi deh yah an' si a big crowd near di transport centre. When mi run go look, mi si a man inna di middle a di crowd a tek money from some man an' a mek dem lick him wid piece a board," the vendor said before adding "about two to three time mi see him a get lick and mi know him soon come back 'cause people all a save up money fi him."

Several of the persons with whom THE STAR spoke insisted that the man is not of an unsound mind.

"Some people think him mad, but if yu hear him talk it obvious seh him nuh mad ... No mad man can't reason like how him reason, is jus' a man weh will go to di extreme fi money," a vendor said.