Cousins stage ‘bottle war’ over land

Two women who were brought before the St James Parish Court for throwing bottles at each other during a fight over family land have been ordered to attend restorative justice sessions to settle their dispute before their next court date of August 23.

Ethlyn Morris and her cousin, Iyata Forrester, were given the restorative justice order when they appeared in court on Wednesday in a cross-case which sees each being charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

Allegations are that on April 8, Morris and Forrester got into a quarrel along the Salt Spring main road. The dispute turned physical when Forrester allegedly flung several bottles, one of which hit Morris on the knee. In retaliation, Morris allegedly flung at Forrester, hitting her in the region of her hip.

Morris told presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley that they "grow together" and that the dispute arose "because of some land issues".

"We are cousins, and my grandfather controls 10 lots of land. On that date, one of my cousins was living on a plot of land, which a lady said is hers," Forrester said.

Judge Ashley subsequently ordered the two women to attend restorative justice sessions to settle their conflict in a peaceful manner.

"This is an issue that runs deep, but it can be resolved if you are willing. You are family, so let us try to resolve it," Ashley advised the parties before setting their case to return on August 23.