Woman to pay $6,500 for beating cop, handyman
Melicia Bodkin, who was convicted for seriously assaulting a police officer and a handyman during separate unprovoked attacks, was slapped with a $6,500 penalty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The 28-year-old is convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The prosecution reported that Bodkin was with friends at Deuces Night Club on Tortola on May 18, 2013.
An off-duty female police officer was also at the club.
It is reported that, about 4am, the off-duty cop was leaving the establishment when the offender approached her and said: “Why when everybody else passing me they could pass me straight but you have to be the one to boot into me.”
The court heard that, when the cop tried to walk away instead of responding, the offender grabbed her by the hair and started to punch her in the head and face, fracturing her nose and lip.
The off-duty cop then reported the matter at the Road Town Police Station.
In court yesterday, Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste DaBreo fined the offender $2,000 for attacking the police officer. She was also told to compensate the cop $1,000.
If the fine is not paid, she will serve four months at Her Majesty’s Prison, and another two months if she does not pay the compensation.
How handyman was beaten
Meanwhile, as it relates to the assault on the handyman, the prosecution reported that the attack happened in September 2013.
The handyman was standing along the roadway when the convicted woman and her friend approached.
The friend reportedly pushed the handyman.
It is said that, when the handyman pushed back, the convict punched him in the face.
The handyman then started to leave the scene.
It is further reported that a second friend of the convicted woman arrived, and they all pursued the handyman and beat him.
Magistrate Baptiste-DaBreo yesterday fined Bodkin $2,000 for attacking the handyman. If in default, she will serve four months in prison.
She was also ordered pay $1,500 compensation to the handyman or serve another two months behind bars.
Bodkin has until September 30 to complete payment of all the aforementioned monies.
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