‘Unacceptable conduct’

One of this island’s High Court judges has strongly advised a young convicted woman to “uplift” and not “downshift” her fellowmen.

“If you are pulling down people like you, that look like you, that come out of similar circumstances like you, how can you complain when others who are not looking like you, pull down your fellowman? “Uplift! Don’t downshift,” Justice Carlisle Greaves told Sharaine Mellisa Gollop, from My Lord’s Hill, St Michael.

He made the comment as he chastised her for a video making the rounds on social media in which she was captured. In the video, another woman was making comments in reference to the complainant involved in a case before the court.

Gollop had been charged with causing serious bodily harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable Che Yearwood on February 14, 2012. She was found guilty by a unanimous jury in October last year.

Crown Counsel Rudolph Burnett disclosed that the video had been brought to his attention last Saturday, April 17, by the probation officer in charge of Gollop’s case and had caused him much concern.

In the 13-second video, the other woman who was described as Gollop’s friend was heard saying “You know I going to fly this one for the (expletive) haters tho’ because the money can’t last them because my dog pun street. My dog pun street yeah and the money can’t last them at all.”

Gollop, who is seen standing in a gallery over the woman’s shoulder is then heard saying “freedom, freedom” as a little boy looks on.

Burnett told Justice Greaves today in the No. 3 Supreme Court: “I was left in total shock. Even though this video only lasted a matter of seconds it left a lasting impression on my mind . . . something that I can certainly never forget. This to my mind amounts to a total disrespect, not only for the court but for the entire judicial and justice system of this country.” he added.

Gollop’s attorney Shadia Simpson said she too was made aware of the video and cautioned her client. She also made it clear that the statement made was “unacceptable”.

“My client had no knowledge whatsoever that a third party had posted a video on social media where she could be seen in the background. I believe the behaviour of the young lady in the video was absolutely unacceptable and if I believed that Ms Gollop was in any way responsible for putting that video on social media I would not be here,” the defense attorney stated.

The development did not sit well with Justice Greaves after the court was shown the video.

“I am troubled by the attitude of the [convicted woman] who even after all this time . . . pending the final decision of the court [she] would take the opportunity  to participate in a video by her friend . . . demonstrating no remorse whatsoever.

“It is not by mere coincidence that this friend who recorded the video is the very friend who testified in this court and tended to weigh her evidence in a manner favourable to the defendant . . . .

“Jeering at the complainant, that the compensation won’t last forever but what will last forever, the animosity?” Justice Greaves questioned. He told Gollop if she continued on the path she would “destroy” herself, loved ones and others.

“No man or woman on this earth has any right to hate. To hate is to destroy the world. It begins by first destroying the hater. The time you take to hate your fellowman you should take to love yourself and others.

The judicial officer said the convict was in need of “some stewardship” and made orders that he believed would “assist in providing some guidance” including participating in any programmes recommended by the Probation Department. He imposed a $10 000 fine on Gollop which is to be paid to the complainant as compensation and also sentenced her to three years in jail which was suspended for three years.