A 26-year-old Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown woman was on Wednesday granted $45,000 bail after being charged with using threatening language, assault, and disorderly behaviour, allegedly committed at the Brickdam Police Station last week.
Johanna Lawson, of Lot 306 Coma Street, Lamaha Gardens, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she denied the charges, which stemmed from a reported altercation with a woman named Britni Singh on June 25.
The charges include using threatening language contrary to Section 141 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act; unlawful assault contrary to Section 21; and disorderly behaviour in a public place contrary to Section 136(b), all allegedly committed at the Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown.
Lawson’s attorney, Keoma Griffith, told the court that his client is a stay-at-home mother with no prior convictions. He requested that bail be granted at a reasonable sum, noting that there had reportedly been discussions about settling the matter.
However, when asked by the magistrate if she was open to a settlement, Singh responded that she had no interest in a financial resolution and preferred to move forward with the case, as she was seeking justice, not compensation.
The magistrate pointed out that settlements are not always about financial gain, but can also serve as a means to bring closure. Singh remained resolute.
The prosecution told the court that Singh was making a report at the police station when the incident occurred. Singh explained that she and Lawson had a mutual friend with whom she fell out, which led to what she described as ongoing bullying by Lawson on social media. This, she said, prompted her to report the matter.
In response, Griffith stated that the incident was part of a larger “Facebook war” between the two women and claimed that Singh had also made inflammatory statements, including comments involving Lawson’s daughter.
The prosecution also noted that Lawson initially gave a different address to police. The defendant explained in court that the address provided was the one listed on her driver’s licence and belongs to her mother.
Lawson was released on $15,000 bail for each of the three charges. She is expected to return to court on July 16.
