Woman allegedly throws urine on neighbour

Persons who attended the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday were left stunned after hearing allegations that a Corporate Area woman threw urine on her neighbour.

The allegations startled Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell, who questioned if the accused woman, Shanelle Smith, should be charged with another offence.

"Maybe an information should be laid for emptying of privies," Burrell said.

Under Section 5(d) of the Towns and Communities Act (1843), it is an offence to empty a privy or move offensive matter, such as night soil, on public streets between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m. It is also illegal to spill or improperly clean such waste, or to discharge any putrid or harmful substances onto streets or other people's property. Persons can be fined up to $4 if convicted of the offence.

It is alleged that Smith and the complainant live in a tenement yard. However, the bathroom is some distance from the houses. The complainant, an older woman, uses a chimmy to relieve herself and then throws the urine at a tree stump in the yard. These actions angered Smith, which resulted in a verbal altercation. Smith hurled insults at the complainant, then took up a bottle of urine and threw it in her direction. It is alleged that the contents caught the complainant and also spilled in an igloo, which the complainant used to store drinks for sale.

Smith pleaded not guilty to common assault and malicious destruction of property.

"Me never throw anything on her. Me a cuss her and she a cuss me back," Smith contended, dismissing the judge's suggestion to attend mediation to resolve the matter.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until November 4 for trial.

- T.T.