Jamaican woman in Bahamas pleads guilty to injuring ex-boyfriend during fight, fined US$500

NASSAU, Bahamas, Jul 20, CMC – A Jamaican woman in the Bahamas is to be handed over to the Department of Immigration after paying a court-ordered fine or completing a prison sentence after she pleaded guilty to injuring her ex-boyfriend by hitting him in the head with a hammer during a fight in which she claimed he stabbed her.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville said that while the offence carried a maximum sentence of one year in prison, he fined 18-year-old Melissa Coke US$500 or three months' imprisonment.

The court heard that Coke reportedly injured Keano Rolle during a fight at their residence on July 8.

She said Coke took his phone during an argument before the dispute escalated.

Even though she pleaded guilty to causing harm, she claimed she acted in self-defence.

Coke alleged that Rolle stabbed and struck her during the same altercation.

Magistrate Serville noted that Rolle is also before the court in connection with the incident and referred to the extreme provocation Coke endured.

However, he said he wanted the sentence to deter similar incidents.

The court also ruled that after paying the fine or completing the prison term, Coke will be handed over to the Department of Immigration.

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