Chief magistrate tells feuding duo not to be distracted by men

wo women in a longstanding feud which reportedly began over “a gentleman” were on Friday told to keep empowering themselves and “not let no man stop you all from progressing”.

 

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes gave the advice to 37-year-old self-employed woman Sasha Sade Griffith of 8D Rosemont, Deacons, St Michael and 24-year-old student Paige Gabriel Jeria Cadigan from Arch Hall, St Thomas after they pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance along Barbarees Hill on Thursday.

 

Station Sergeant Crishna Willams told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that the two fought after Griffith got off a minibus and slapped Cadogan who was standing in front of a shop. Police patrolling the area intervened and Cadogan attacked Griffth as she was in police custody. The two were detained.

 

Attorney-at-law Harry Husbands urged the court not to impose a conviction on Griffith and to allow her record to remain unblemished. He disclosed that his client was the owner of three minibuses and the actions that brought her before the court were out of character. He intimated that the situation began over “a gentleman”.

 

Husbands urged the court to issue a stern warning, saying he believed it would be “sufficient” under the circumstances as Griffith was not known to the court.

 

Cadogan, who was unrepresented, claimed that this was not the first time Griffith had approached her and a fight ensued. She said there was a similar incident last year.

 

Griffith replied: “It is not a matter of fighting over the gentleman. What she said about last year was true. A lot of things came out in the open and that matter was dealt with.

 

“The problem is the young lady is very interfering and continues to make my life a problem. It’s no longer about the gentleman, it’s just that I would like her and her friends to leave me and my vehicles alone. . . . I just figured with time it would have de-escalated but clearly that is not the case.”

 

Chief Magistrate Weekes expressed disappointment with the situation, especially given that Griffith was a businesswoman and Cadogan was studying.

 

“It disappoints me that women in this country, young women who are independent, who are businesswomen and who are thriving individuals with a great future ahead of them . . . are involved [in such a situation],” he said.

 

“You are doing accounts; when you finish, the world is available to you . . . . You have to focus on your future. And Ma’am, you are a businesswoman . . . so, therefore, you all do not need to depend on a man.

 

“You all are in the age of the new woman. The independent, strong woman, so it disappoints me as a man because I admire strong, independent, intelligent women. Do not let a man run racket or trick wunna. Come on, you all are ladies with choices. Try and exercise the choices available and continue to empower yourselves.”

 

The judicial officer said what the two women were trying to achieve in their careers was something other young women should emulate.

 

“So why are you all here over this? You [Griffith] are soaring, she [Cadogan] will soar when she completes her qualifications. Do not let no man stop you all from progressing. You all have me really disappointed.

 

“Let today be the last time that you all have any interaction and confusion . . . . Cut it out! You all are doing well as single women, stop letting men destroy what you all are seeking to build. Do not have anything to do with each other, including social media,” Chief Magistrate Weekes warned before reprimanding and discharging the duo.