From the Courts
November 16, 2007

Grounded: Allen damage boyfriend’s passport

An act of desperation cost a Peruvian Vale woman $60 at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday.{{more}}

Sherika Allen, 23, pleaded guilty to damaging her boyfriend’s passport on November 11, while he was awaiting a flight bound for Tortola.

Senior Magistrate Donald Browne reprimanded and discharged her, and ordered her to compensation forthwith or spend one month in prison.

The court heard that Allen and her boyfriend went to the E.T Joshua airport last Sunday to await his flight. While sitting in the check-in area, the complainant went to purchase snacks, leaving his belongings in her possession.

When he returned, the passport was destroyed and Allen told him that she would do anything to prevent him from leaving.

In her explanation to the court, Allen said that she had been living with her boyfriend for over a year and a half and although he told her he was only going away for a vacation, she had heard that he was going for other reasons.

Representing Allen, lawyer Ronald Marks said that people must be aware that even though a passport is issued in their name, it is still the property of the Government. He added that the entire incident was a just an “act of passion”.