A woman who threw hot water onto her older sister’s face resulting in first degree burns has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Today (Wednesday) Magistrate John Ballah sentenced the woman, Voctoreen McKenzie, 49, of South Rivers, to eight months in prison, suspended for one year.
McKenzie pleaded guilty to a charge that on Oct. 23, at South Rivers, she did unlawfully and maliciously inflict grievous bodily harm on Ancelma Mc Kenzie, of South Rivers.
The court heard that the two women are sisters and live in separate houses in the same yard.
They do not speak to each other and have a history of disputes over several years.
On Monday, about 10 a.m., an argument broke out between the two women when Ancelma, 53, became annoyed because Voctoreen’s daughter dusted a mat near Ancelma house while she was washing her dishes in the yard.
During the argument, Voctoreen dared her sister to come onto her steps.
While arguing with Voctoreen, Alcelma made her way to her outside pipe, which is located near to the steps of Voctoreen’s front porch.
While Ancelma was walking toward the steps, Voctoreen threw hot water that was in a bucket near her onto the defendant, who sought medical attention then reported the matter to the police
Sergeant 670 Williams conducted an investigation and laid the charge against the defendant.
McKenzie told the court she is a housewife, her husband lives overseas, and she has three children and five grandchildren.
In handing down his sentence, Ballah said that he had considered the sentencing guidelines.
He said he looked at the consequences of Voctoreen’s action, which was the harm done.
Ballah noted that the medical form had indicated that Ancelma suffered first degree burns — which are superficial burns.
He began with a starting sentence of 20% of the maximum seven years in prison — 16 months.
He said there were no aggravating features of the offence, adding that there was significant provocation on the part of Ancelma.
He, therefore, reduced the sentence by three months, taking it down to one year and one month.
The court found no aggravating features of the offender and reduced the sentence by a further three months, bringing it to 10 months.
He then applied the full one-third discount, leaving a sentence of eight month.
He said that the court noted the significant provocation by Ancelma and that was why he was not sending Victoreen to prison, but was suspending the sentence.