By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A 21-year-old woman avoided a possible ten-year prison sentence after admitting to smashing the glass door of the man she believed to be her boyfriend’s bar and damaging his vehicle after an encounter with his ex.
Tamiquia Laing pleaded guilty to two counts of causing damage involving Yard Style Bar and its owner, Evan Daly.
The damage to the bar’s front glass door was valued at $1,386, while the cost of replacing the windscreen of Daly’s blue Kia Soul was estimated at $1,396.
Police Prosecutor Corporal 3700 Kenton Smith told the court that officers received a report at about 1.20am on October 9 concerning damage at the business.
Police went to Yard Style Bar, where Daly requested their assistance.
Daly told officers he had known Laing for approximately two weeks and that a misunderstanding had led to the incident.
Laing was subsequently taken into custody and admitted to committing the offences, the court heard. She had no previous convictions.
After accepting the prosecution’s account of events, Laing explained to Magistrate Uel Johnson that she had been in a relationship with Daly.
She said she went to the bar and encountered Daly’s former girlfriend, who told her that customers were not permitted behind the bar.
Laing said she identified herself to the woman, who then made a remark to her. Although she initially walked away, Laing said she later returned and smashed the establishment’s front glass door before damaging the windscreen of Daly’s vehicle.
Corporal Smith told the court that the offences carried a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment.
Magistrate Johnson reminded Laing of the potential sentence but said he had taken her age, lack of previous convictions and early guilty pleas into consideration.
The magistrate strongly admonished Laing over her conduct, describing her behaviour as “garbage” and warning her that she needed to conduct herself properly.
Rather than imposing a prison sentence, Johnson ordered Laing to compensate Daly $2,782 for the damage caused.
He also placed her on probation for six months and prohibited her from visiting Yard Style Bar for any reason.
Additionally, Laing was ordered to stay away from Daly for one year.
The magistrate warned that any breach of the court’s orders could result in imprisonment.
Laing is scheduled to return to court on March 31, 2027, for a review of her case.