The Argyle International Airport, on Tuesday, told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court that it is no longer proceeding against the woman who was charged with damaging a glass and aluminum door at the facility, valued US$1,380.
Timika Mc Lean, of Arnos Vale and Canada, reappeared in court on Tuesday, one day after she asked to change her not guilty plea to guilty, so that she could leave St. Vincent and the Grenadines with her three young children.
Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett told the woman that he would not accept a guilty plea out of convenience.
She had pleaded not guilty, twice, to a charge that on July 15 at Argyle, she damaged one glass and aluminum door, valued US$1,380, the property of Argyle International Airport, and was reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.
“I didn’t damage the door but the door is damaged. They showed me the damage after. I was angry and frustrated because I wasn’t getting my flight,” said, Mc Lean who also told the court she has a 7-year-old child who has seizures.
“Yesterday (Sunday), they cancelled my flight just like that,” Mc Lean said.
The magistrate said that based on what Mc Lean was saying, a trial was needed.
“I don’t know if I can be here for a trial,” Mc Lean said, adding that while she might be able to stay, “My kids need to go home.”
After the woman asked to change her plea, the magistrate told her that he would stand the matter down to allow her to seek legal advice.
She then retained counsel Grant Connell, and again pleaded not guilty.
The matter was then listed for report on Tuesday and trial on Thursday.
However, on Tuesday, when the matter was called, Carmiena Brooks, manager of operations and services at AIA, told the court, “We are taking steps to repair the door that was damaged by the individual. It would be better to replace it, but we are taking steps to repair it.”
She told the court that the airport no longer wished to proceed against Mc Lean.
The case against the woman was, therefore, withdrawn, and she was told that she was free to go.
Meanwhile, Connell told the court that he commends the management of AIA “for following wisdom and commonsense” in arriving at their decision.
Mc Lean is the second person against whom a charge of damaging AIA property was withdrawn.
Last December, the prosecution withdrew against 76-year-old Raphael Patterson, who had been charged with damaging a face basin at the airport.
Prosecutor Carl Williams offered no explanation for the Crown’s decision, but it was widely rumoured that the prosecution was left with no choice because they had no evidence to substantiate a case against the man.
Patterson, who was born in St. Vincent but has been living in Trinidad and Tobago for 56 years, was arrested at AIA on Nov. 30, 2017 and charged with damage to property.
Information reaching iWitness News is that police had alleged that he used a rum bottle to damage a face basin at the airport, which began operating on Feb. 14, 2017.
Bunch of incompetent idiots!
AIA management need to put a door stopper on the part of the wall that is painted green.
Looks like the door if open right back will pounce on edge of the green an white wall.
Maybe an electronic door could be considered.
GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS MOVE, AIA.
I would like to here join Legal Counsel, Grant Connell, in commendation of the Argyle International Airport authorities in their “wisdom and common sense” decision not to proceed legally against this distraught Vincentian woman. It was and is excellent public relations indeed.
Mercy and compassion are certainly still highly admired in our 21st Century Age. I feel convinced that this incident and the gracious exoneration will redound to the benefit of the Airport, and SVG Tourism Industry. It will ultimately mean MUCH MORE in yet future dollars and cents. Good will is a great economic and fiscal filip to long-term investment. Good going, SVG.
Our citizens need to learn the important lessons of emotional control and emotional maturity. Let’s teach the youth greater self-control and personal responsibility. Let’s increasingly master the skills and techniques of COPING with trying circumstances and difficult situations, no matter how earth-shattering. My patriotic appreciation to Manager of AIA Operations and Services. Timika, let me see you SMILE some more – – – you look so great when you do.
An important, sobering, lesson to us ALL, Vincentians. There will be PEACE in SVG and the Vincy Diaspora, among ALL PERSONS OF GOOD WILL.
A proud and appreciative Vincy compatriot
Steve Huggins, A.I.C., UWI Cert. Public Admin.,
Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Case Examiner and
Private Investigator.