On Wednesday 31, 2007 the following matters were heard at District C Magistrate’s Court presided over by Magistrate Yasmine Clarke.
Kimoy and Shenique Carey of Lime Kilm Housing Project, St. Kitts and Sameka Reid of Newcastle appeared before the magistrate to answer charges of disorderly conduct by fighting and malicious damage. The offences were alleged to have occurred at Price Busters Stoney grove on September 29, 2007. They all pleaded not guilty. Collin Tyrell represented Sameka Reid.
What was thought to be a simple, short case turned out to be over three hours long with seven persons giving evidence. Four persons gave evidence for the prosecution and the three persons charged gave evidence in their defense. The first witness, the manager of Price Busters, told the court he was at work when he heard people speaking very loudly but continued on with his work until one the workers called to him.
He said he looked around and saw one of the glass cases fall and heard the sound of breaking glass. He said he saw a young girl who works at Ram’s Supermarket whom he knows as Sameka and two other ladies going at each other with their fists. He rushed towards them and held on to the smallest one and with the assistance of other persons in the store tried to separate them. He said he released the lady and held Sameka believing he could calm her down; again he was unsuccessful.
He then left the store to seek help and also called the Charlestown Police Station. Upon his return he noticed that some persons were taking Sameka from the store. He said he had the store exit blocked, keeping the other two ladies inside. He told the court he then saw and spoke to the officer who had responded. Another witness told the court that Sameka, another girl and herself were in a section of the store speaking with an employee.
She said she walked off and heard Shenique telling another young lady, “See the girl that keep calling me every night and hanging up.”
She asked “Which one,” and Shaniqua said, “The one in the black.” She told the court that Sameka was wearing a black blouse. She further said that while the three of them were standing the lady who she does not know came and tapped Sameka on her shoulder several times. She said Sameka ignored her at first but eventually turned to face her. The lady then asked if she knows a phone number and an argument started between them. She said the lady the slapped Sameka and Sameka went after her. Shaniqua rushed Sameka pushing her into a glass case. The glass case fell to the floor and shattered.
Sameka, Shenique and the lady who she did not know started beating each other. She told the court that she got between them trying to separate them with assistance from other people in the store but the two ladies kept coming at Sameka. She said Sameka was eventually taken outside and the other ladies were locked in the store. The other witness, an employee of Price Buster, also said she saw Shenique and her sister whose name she does not know. She said she saw Shenique’s sister approach and speak to Sameka. She said she left at this point and then heard loud voices and breaking glass. She said she saw a lady holding Sameka, trying to get out of the store and saw Shenique and her sister keep going after her.
After the prosecution presented its case the defence counsel made a no case submission.
His submission on the charge of malicious damage was successful. Sameka was the first defendant to give evidence. Her statement to the court was very similar to that of one of the prosecution’s witnesses. She said an argument started between the lady who inquired about the phone number and herself. She the lady attacked her and when she attempted to defend herself Shenique also attacked and pushed her. She told the court a fight developed between them. Shenique and her sister Kimoy also gave evidence. Their version of the evident was different and sought to show they acted in self-defence.
They were all convicted and fined $500.00 to be paid in three months or serve one month in prison.
Novel Brathwaite of Hardtimes Gingerland appeared before the court on a charge of larceny. The particulars of the offence are that on October 26, 2007 he allegedly stole a bottle of Hennessy brandy valued at $125.00 from Dong Fong Supermarket, Charlestown. The theft of the alcohol was apparently captured on the security camera at the supermarket. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month in prison.
Wilson Jones of Fountain Village appeared before the court for an application for bail. The defendant was arrested and charged for housebreaking and Larceny that occurred at Paradise on 19/9/207 He was granted bail with the provision that he remain indoors between 8:30pm and 5am
