Landlady and tenant fight lands them both in court

A St James woman who reportedly got into a fight with her tenant, resulting in the tenant's keys being stolen and both women being injured, is to return to the St James Parish Court on May 31.

Crystal Lincoln appeared before presiding Parish Judge Kaysha Grant Pryce last Friday, answering charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, simple larceny, assault at common law, and malicious destruction of property. She is involved in a cross-case with Jamelia Stoddart, who is charged with unlawful wounding.

Allegations are that on February 21, Stoddart was at her business place when she was confronted by Lincoln, who is her landlady, and a quarrel ensued between the two. The dispute turned physical, with Stoddart sustaining an injury to her hand. Lincoln reportedly took Stoddart's keys from her and damaged a light belonging to her tenant. Meanwhile, Stoddart allegedly inflicted a wound to Lincoln, who was pregnant and subsequently suffered a miscarriage.

During Friday's proceedings, the court was told that the two parties were minded to go to mediation to settle their differences. It was also disclosed that Lincoln has two other matters of an unrelated nature, with two other complainants, before the court.

Judge Grant Pryce issued an order for Lincoln and Stoddart to attend restorative justice sessions in order for them to resolve the underlying issues behind their reported confrontation, and extended both their bails to May 31.