A remark dropped Friday as she was leaving the dock almost earned Sherry-Ann Samantha Stuart a weekend at HMP Dodds.
What her words did get her was a two-hour stay in the cells at Central Police Station and a strong chastisement from Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant.
“When you come to court, conduct yourself like a young lady,” the magistrate told Stuart.
“This is a courtroom. There are certain standards set in this court which must be upheld,” the magistrate declared.
Stuart, a 36-year-old store owner of Tudor Land, Back Ivy, St Michael, turned up in the District “A” Magistrates’ Courts Friday, three years after she last appeared in court.
She had been charged with doing serious bodily harm to Natasha Forde on March 14, 2010, with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her.
Stuart’s last appearance was on October 19, 2014, and a warrant was issued for her arrest in December that year.
“I was coming all the time and I get mixed up with the dates and the court,” she said.
“I thought the case get dismissed ’cause I never hear back anything. I went when the court was getting renovated.”
“The court was renovated over three years ago,” Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant noted.
“And who told you the matter was dismissed?” the magistrate asked.
“I just get mix up,” the accused replied.
The magistrate, however, noted that a warrant had been issued for Stuart’s arrest and she would have to pay for missing court for three years.
“The last time you came here was 2014,” the magistrate declared.
“But I came in on my own. Somebody called and told me to come court and I came,” the woman replied.
It was as she was leaving the dock after Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant had ordered her to pay $300 forthwith that Stuart declared: “Why she getting on so?”
The magistrate immediately ordered Stuart back into the dock and asked: “Do we have a holding cell for women?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” prosecutor Sergeant Cameron Gibbons replied.
“Take her down to the cells. I will decide if she stays or goes to prison,” the magistrate noted.
About two hours later, the magistrate sent for Stuart and chastised her for her behaviour.
She further told the accused she must dress appropriately for her court appearances.
“This is not a fashion parade,” the magistrate said.
In the end, Stuart paid the $300 court cost and was allowed to remain on $5 000 bail with a surety.
She returns to court on March 23. (HLE)