Assault accused sent for psychiatric observation

Shanique Harrison was sent to the Psychiatric Hospital for observation for the next three weeks, after her demeanour in the dock of the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court raised concern.

The 34-year-old woman of no fixed place of abode appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke on Wednesday, accused of unlawfully assaulting Tiana Massiah a day earlier.

When asked for her plea, the accused told the court that the complainant’s name was wrong, before mumbling to herself in the dock.

After Harrison gave confusing and, at times, incoherent responses to questions from the court officials, the magistrate informed her that no plea would be taken from her for now.

“If you are not aware of what is going on, we cannot take a plea. I am going to send you to the Psychiatric Hospital for 21 days for observation. They will be able to gauge if you are fit to plead,” Burke added before the accused woman was led away.