SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine – Two women were yesterday sentenced to 120 hours of community service following a brawl over seats at the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The two – Beverley Malcolm, 43, of Tarrant Drive, Kingston 10, and Ginel Hutchinson, 23, of Gregory Park, St Catherine, – had gone to the court to observe two separate cases but no seats were available in the number one court.

One of the women, however, managed to get a seat in the crowded foyer but later got up and went outside. On her return, the seat was taken by the other woman, which caused a ‘tracing’ match on return of the woman who had vacated the seat. The quarrel subsequently led to a fight in the presence of a number of police officers who were attending court.

Both women were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, while Hutchinson, who had a knife in her purse, was slapped with an additional charge of having an offensive weapon in her possession.

Both women, who pleaded guilty to the charges, blamed their behaviour on the unavailability of seating in the court.

In handing down sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar Gayle told the women that they should be ashamed of themselves and reprimanded them for taking their unruly behavior into the precincts of the court.

“Both of you will serve 120 hours each of community service. The probation officer will take you right now and advise you of the procedure. Hutchinson, for the offensive weapon you will pay a fine of $2,000 or spend ten days in prison,” the magistrate ordered.