Man pepper-sprayed by ex during argument

The St James Parish Court has ordered restorative justice sessions for a woman and her ex-boyfriend, after she reportedly pepper sprayed him in his face during a quarrel.

Nekiesha Walker, who is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, was given the order by presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley and had her bail extended when she appeared in court on Wednesday. Allegations are that on May 4, at 10:40 p.m., Walker went to the complainant's house where an argument ensued. She used a pair of scissors to stab at the complainant's car window and sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. He in turn threw a door knob at her. The police were called, and under caution Walker reportedly said, "Him nuh tell you about the money weh him have for me and nah give me back?" She was subsequently arrested and charged.

During Wednesday's court sitting, the complainant told Judge Ashley that Walker had acted violently on previous occasions.

"She had done similar things before, and I said, not this time. She is being vindictive because I decided to take a stand, and she was coming to my house without my permission," the complainant explained. But Walker countered that her ex-boyfriend owed her money which she had loaned him to cover his medical bills.

"He had COVID-19 and had a lot of doctor's appointments, which I took out a loan for, and then I found out he had a relationship with somebody else. On the day in question, when I got there, he said 'You're not getting any money because you're being spiteful'," said Walker.

Judge Ashley subsequently ordered the parties to attend restorative justice sessions and to return to court on July 25.