REAL NEWS: An incident that attracted public scrutiny, having been caught on video that then went viral, has resulted in the players being convicted, fined and ordered to pay compensation in the St. John’s Magistrates’ Court.
Jamaican national Chantel Sibilist, 24, and her partner, Jahwer Christopher, 35, are the rowdy couple who brawled with police officers in front of the Payless Store at Woods Mall on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
On Monday, February 20, at the conclusion of their trial, they were found guilty of several charges by Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh.
Reports are that the trial commenced last Wednesday, February 15, with testimony from Christopher, who opted to give sworn evidence from the witness stand ,along with his spouse, who testified last Thursday.
Officers had charged the pair with several counts of battery on police, resisting arrest, and malicious damage, among other related offences, following the incident. The duo had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The woman, who had more charges than her partner, will have to pay the lion’s share of the money the court has ordered them to pay. Sibilist must come up with a total of $4,070, while Christopher was ordered to pay $2,750. They were given until the end of March to pay, although Christopher, who claims to be a subcontractor, had requested six months’ time.
The alternative sentence is six months at His Majesty’s Prison.
Sibilist, reports say, made an immediate payment of $1,000, while her partner is yet to make any payment.
Some of the money will be awarded as compensation to the officers, whose shirts, costing $150 and over $200, respectively, were damaged during the fracas.
During the trial, the Jamaican mother denied behaving badly in front of her children, who were seen crying in the video footage. She claimed they had been inside their parents’ car.
Sibilist accused the police of being impostors, even after they identified themselves, and said she was accustomed to frequenting Payless.
Christopher said that he frequents the business, as well, and added that – even though they identified themselves – he did not believe who the officers said they were; he believed they were security guards.
Sibilist has offered an apology to the officers, but her spouse has not done so. Chief Magistrate Walsh also offered an apology to the lawmen for the way they were treated in the execution of their lawful duty.
Reports are that the couple was refused entry into the store for not wearing face masks, which was a policy of the business place and was so indicated on a poster in front of the store.
Further reports are that they became confrontational with one of the workers, and the police had to be summoned.
Reportedly efforts were made by the lawmen to bring the situation under control; however, both Sibilist and Christopher continued with their unruly behaviour and a brawl ensued between them and the officers, some of whom were in plain clothes and the others in uniform.
They were eventually taken into custody and charged.
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They should have been fined and removed from the state. The magistrate was far too lenient with them. Jamacians et al should be given a very clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated in Antigua.
@Antigua4ever the guy is Antiguan I’m not sure why newsroom doesn’t fact check. But the female, she na mean no good and always in problems with the law I’m surprised she wasn’t ordered removed in truth. Perhaps the children (not so sure her first was born here) saved her. She just loud and always aggressive in words and actions.
Nonetheless, she should be sent back to Jamaica where Her vagabond behaviour would be acceptable. The magistrate was too lenient. The magistrate’s soft approach could set precedent for others to behave as displayed by the vagabond to the Point that she felt it was acceptable to assist a police officer. The decision of the magistrates should be reviewed.
Let’s not be xenophobic now. Wjo knows, they might be citizens of our country. They were fined and the case is over. If they don’t pay timely, they will be serving 6 months in prison. Justice was done for rude behavior.
Here we go. Just another jealous Antiguan who can’t stand Jamaicans. Jealousy won’t get you guys anywhere. Antiguans are the moist boisterous and aggressive people I’ve ever met in my life.
@Fresh35, I cannot think of one thing Jamacia has that would make an Antiguan to be jealous! the Jamacian brawling behaviour is nothing to be proud of, nor is it exemplary that anyone with an ounce of decency would want to ascribed to.
My position is simply this: none born citizens of Antigua and Barbuda entering Antigua must accept and embrace our laws and our way of life and shouldn’t think that Antiguans will accept anything less.
Unfortunately, the magistrate’s actions shows that our legal system is broken. The vagabond should be removed from our states and return to Jamacia, her violent brawling displayed at the shopping mall was not isolated.
Dude is Antiguan
Now u have to pay nearly 7k for stupidity….! Let yhis be a lesson! Ignorance will cost u!!
Mr. Byam look at this ….
After they make payments, they should be deported.
Agreed, wholeheartedly.
Real News need fu get they story straight and stop try fu mek everything seem like is non-nationals. Jahwer Christopher nah come from Jamaica. Jahwer come from Point, born and bred inna Booby Alley. If you nah believe me, ask he poopa Roots who campaign fu UPP and always ah cuss Gaston.
Wutliss bwoy, and wutliss Real News!
@Carter “REAL NEWS” is a UPP version of National Enquirer. Since UPP hates “foreigners”, Real News will do anything to make “foreigners” look bad
Please deport as soon as possible.
They should be deported back to Jamaica. Let them run wild in Kingston. We have too many foreign criminals in Antigua already.
Lay Lay is from now demolished Red Shut Alley AKA Boobey Alley
So tell mi something, if we getting so upset over kerfuffle and brawling, how come we don’t get upset so much about a threatening Minister and unaccountability at the highest level of governance.
WE ARE A STRANGE PEOPLE INDEED … JUST SAYING!
You chillaxing in England with de white smaddy dem while Antigua people lockup tight in dem house with these Jamaicans roaming the streets.
I live in Antigua Mr Byam, but I do tend to travel a lot. Stop the guess work … oh bwoy, again, mi haffi laugh 😂
Hello Mr. Byam, yuh wake up man. Still awaiting a comment on the ANTIGUAN who was sentence for killing the OLE Canadian, inna CANADA.
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