Seanna Jack (with sun glasses) seen leaving the Magistrate's Court on Monday, March 16, 2020. Photo: VINO

The trial against Fat Hogs Bay resident, Seanna Jack, who allegedly assaulted a woman at a nightclub at CSY Dock on Tortola, on June 17, 2017, is now in the hands of the court for decision and sentencing. Photo: VINO/File

Jack, an unemployed mother, is scheduled to reappear before Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste DaBreo on Wednesday, May 18, 2020, for the conclusion of the offence of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm.

The Prosecution and the Defence both closed their case on Monday, March 16, 2020 before the Magistrate’s Court in John’s Hole, Tortola.

Prosecution’s case

The Prosecution concluded its case with the Investigative Officer in the matter, Casey Winter.

Winter said he was at the time attached to the Beat and Patrol Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) when the Virtual Complainant (VC) came to the Road Town Police Station with a male companion to make a report.

He said the VC had blood on her clothing, had a busted nose with what appeared to have a horizontal laceration across it.

He stated that, according to the VC, the defendant assaulted her while they were at Deuces Nightclub.

After taking her statement and photos of the injuries, the officer said the VC was transported to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital for medical attention.

He said when the allegations were put to the defendant, she admitted to hitting the VC with her fists but denied having an object in her hand.

The defendant was subsequently interviewed on the matter and formally charged with the offence before the court.

Defence’s case

Jack, the defendant, decided to testify in her defence before the court.

She said she and her friends were partying at the nightclub.

She said a few days prior a man, who she had a two week-relationship with but were no longer on good terms with, called her begging for a second chance.

Jack said while at the club, she spotted the same man, entering the club with the VC, a woman she, despite not speaking to for some time, believed to be her friend.

She stated that after saying "hi" to each other, she noticed the VC watching her ‘with a vexation.’

The defendant explained that during the night, she realised that the man was “moving like he don’t know me,” despite her blowing kisses his way.

Before he left, she said she sought an explanation from him at the same time the VC was approaching.

The defendant said the man gave her a shove on her chest area and a scuffle between them started.

The defendant said it was then that the VC decided to intervene and punched her arm, and in response, she fisted her in her face.

She admitted to the court that she had fashion rings on her fingers when she inflicted the blow to the VC.

“Them attack me, I was defending myself,” she remarked.

Despite her claims of being attacked by the pair, she decided against reporting the matter to the police, she said.

The defendant is represented by Attorney Carmelita Jamieson.