“Gratefully guilty!” – woman tells court after charged for attacking pensioner

In a courtroom showdown on Friday, 23-year-old Shania Melville put on a defiant display as she faced a charge of causing bodily harm against 76-year-old Joseph Canterbury, in a brazen attack at the Stabroek Market on February 26.

As the court proceedings got underway at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the woman told Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, “I don’t have to explain anything to you. You do what you have to do, and I will do what I have to do.”

When the defendant was asked to enter a plea, she declared “gratefully guilty”. The woman immediately tried to walk out of the dock but was stopped by the magistrate.

A stunned Magistrate McGusty gave her a chance to explain herself. Instead of remorse, Melville scoffed, “I don’t have no time for you, I don’t have time for this, just send me to jail! My Worship, me ain’t get time for you! You do what you have to do, and I will so what I have to do.”

As the Prosecutor detailed Melville’s disturbing pattern of violent behaviour, including assaulting a police officer in a previous case, Melville laughed out loud.

“How, you know I did that? I was assaulted by a police officer!” she blurted out.

Eventually, Canterbury himself took the stand to recount his ordeal. He described how he was walking in Stabroek Market, when Melville shoved him, causing him to fall to the ground.

When he protested, saying “…people don’t have manners”, the woman allegedly turned back, glared at him, and with zero hesitation, stomped on his chest once, while he was still laying on the ground. The pensioner further stated that there were bystanders at the scene who intervened before the woman could do more harm.

As Canterbury spoke, Melville did something that left the entire courtroom in stunned silence, she bent over and pointed her clothed backside in his direction.

Even after this behaviour, Magistrate McGusty remained composed and asked Melville if she had anything to say. Melville then told the magistrate that she knows what she did was wrong, but she “did it for a reason.” When pressed further, she snapped, “I’m not repeating anything.”

Melville then tried to blame a “urinal issue” for her actions, claiming that Canterbury had bumped into her, aggravating her condition. And then, in an utterly bizarre twist, she claimed that kicking him actually made her feel better.

Magistrate McGusty then used the opportunity to remind the defendant of the importance of respect, both for the court and for elderly persons. While the charge carried an 18-month prison sentence, the Magistrate sentenced the 23-year-old to nine months in prison.

She said she hoped Melville would receive anger management counseling while behind bars.