Woman hurls nasty words at the judge

An angry mother caused a stir in the St James Parish Court with an explosive episode yesterday after she unleashed a battery of expletives at Parish Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce.

The woman, who is facing charges of disorderly conduct, assault, and weapon possession, hurled nasty words at the judge after a bail application made by her lawyer, Albert Morgan, was denied.

"[Expletive deleted], go [expletive deleted] your mother!," said the woman, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of her child.

The uproar unfolded after an unfavourable ruling in a Family Court case concerning her 11-year-old child, who is reported to have developmental delays and is in need of protection. It is alleged that on December 6, a Family Court judge ordered that the child should be placed in state custody.

It is further alleged that the mother attempted to hit the judge with a chair, and when a police officer restrained her and was taking her to the holding area, the defendant drew a knife she had hidden and threatened the officer with it.

She was restrained and later charged with disorderly conduct, assault at common law, and possession of an offensive weapon. When she appeared in the St James Parish Court yesterday, Grant-Pryce rejected a bail application on the grounds that the woman may not return for trial. It was then that the accused went berserk and unleashed her fury, in the form of an an expletive-laden outburst, at the judge.

However, Grant-Pryce appeared unshaken.

"You could be charged with contempt of court, but I will forgive you this time ... I will remand you in custody until Monday [January 8] when I think you will calm down," Grant-Pryce said coolly.

The woman, though, was unperturbed.

"They took away my child, so do whatever you want to do," the woman said as she was led out of the courtroom by the police.