Accused in pepper-spray case claims self-defence

A woman, who pepper-sprayed her neighbour during a confrontation at her home, is to return to the St James Parish Court on May 15 when the case against her is slated to continue.

On Thursday, the court was told that on March 27, the complainant went to see the accused, Aliyah Myrie, at her Barrett Town home. An argument developed and Myrie reportedly pepper-sprayed the complainant, causing burning, redness, and irritation to her skin. The complainant reported the matter to the police and Myrie was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

After the allegations were outlined to the court, Myrie's attorney, Martyn Thomas, told presiding parish judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton that his client was defending herself, and that the confrontation started over a fire Myrie lit outside her yard "which caused the complainant and her husband to come across to her yard and speak to her about it". "She [Myrie] had her baby in her hand, and while they were speaking, an argument ensued and she was attacked with stones and a machete, and she used the pepper spray to spray the complainant in her face," Thomas told the court.

"She immediately went to the Barrett Town Police Station to make a report, but the police did not take a report from her, as they told her that she should come to the court's office and seek civil redress. She went to the Barrett Town Police Station on two occasions, and the report still has not been taken," added Thomas.

The court was also told that the complainant's medical certificate has been added to the prosecution's case file.

Fairclough-Hylton subsequently extended Myrie's bail until May 15.

"You are to go to the Barrett Town Police Station and indicate to the sub-officer in charge there that the court has directed that your case, the cross-case, must come before the court on May 15," Fairclough-Hylton advised Myrie.