Aunt, niece fight over dirty dishes

A St James woman and her niece, who reportedly got into a fight in December over unwashed dishes, are expected to undergo mediation sessions to settle their differences.

Winsome McKenzie, of a Buena Vista address in Anchovy, came before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday on the charge of assault occasioning bodily harm. Her niece, Shanay Blake, a resident of Canada, is charged with malicious destruction of property. The court was told that on December 2, 2024, at 6 p.m., McKenzie came home from work and saw dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and counter. She reportedly went to Blake's room and threw a plate and fork on the bed. An argument ensued between the two women, following which McKenzie hit Blake in the face with a mop stick.

Regarding the charge against Blake, it is alleged that during the same incident, she broke a window, a toilet seat, and other items belonging to McKenzie. The court was also told that Blake damaged McKenzie's car. After the allegations were outlined, presiding parish court judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce urged the women to try mediation.

"Mediation is a good thing, as you can talk about the history of your argument, you can talk about anything that cannot be addressed in trial, and you can raise issues of compensation and fixing things that are broken, to try and resolve things on your terms," she said.

The matter was briefly stood down to allow McKenzie and Blake to sit with a trained mediator. However, when the case was recalled sometime later, it was disclosed that McKenzie wanted $150,000 in compensation for her damaged items, while Blake wanted more than CAD$2,300 (approximately J$254,313) to repay her medical expenses.

Grant-Pryce subsequently set the matter for mention on February 20 to allow the parties more time. It is also expected that Blake's medical certificate will be placed on file by that date.