Woman remanded after admitting criminal damage weeks after bond

Shernell Dionne Walcott has been remanded into custody for a presentencing report after admitting to criminal damage, just weeks after being placed on a bond to keep the peace.

The 38-year-old of no fixed place of abode  appeared in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on Monday and admitted to damaging two windows, four photo frames, 10 plant pots, and a motor vehicle belonging to Devkumar Menon on June 19, with the intention of damaging the property, or being reckless as to whether it would be damaged.

The court heard that the complainant operates a guest house and owns a Subaru Impreza, which is normally parked in the establishment’s compound. Last Wednesday, the accused rented a room for the night but left the following day with the keys. The complainant attempted to contact her, but received no response.

The accused returned the keys on Friday but appeared to be under the influence of either drink or drugs. When Menon spoke to her about the establishment’s rules regarding returning the keys, the accused became agitated and threw rocks, breaking the guest house’s front windows and plant pots, and damaging the vehicle’s windscreen. The offence was captured via CCTV, and the accused was arrested.

Walcott told the court that she had worked at the establishment doing gardening, but when she asked for payment, the complainant’s wife refused, and this led to her actions.

Menon, who was present in court, stated that Walcott had asked to stay at the guest house for free, and they had agreed that she would work and spend two nights.

“She did gardening for my wife and said she wanted to stay free in exchange for working. She stayed for two days,” Menon said. “If she had come to me and said she wanted more money, I would have given her.”

Reminded about the bond and the $750 immediate fine or alternate one month imprisonment at Dodds due to the breach, Walcott replied: “Y’all put me on a bond to keep the peace in Fairchild Street, and I keep peace there. This happen someplace else, and y’all charging me. That’s not fair.”

“When you are put on a bond to keep the peace, it means keep the peace generally,” Chief Magistrate Frederick told her.

“This court has bent over backwards to help you, and it seems as though you need more intervention and need someone to help you. You have anger issues, and this is taking over you. I am going to remand you into custody for a presentencing report,” he added.

The case was transferred to the District ‘A’ Traffic Court and will continue on July 20.

(JB)