ST JAMES, Jamaica— A St James woman was arraigned in the Parish Court on Wednesday after she reportedly set her boyfriend’s belongings on fire and sent him a video on WhatsApp of her committing the act.

Aaliyah Parkins was charged with malicious destruction of property and went before Parish Judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley, who presided over the case.

According to court documents, Parkins sent the complainant a WhatsApp video on May 7 in which she was seen setting fire to the complainant’s bed, clothing, iron, fan, and component set, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage.

“Did you pay for the things already,” Smith-Ashley asked the accused woman after hearing the allegations.

“No, Your Honour,” Parkins replied.

The judge then stood down the matter to allow the parties to participate in a mediation session with a probation officer who was present in court.

After the case was revisited, the parties informed the court that they had reached an agreement.

Parkins then entered a not-guilty plea as a formality to end the criminal proceedings.

The prosecution subsequently offered no evidence against the accused woman, and she was discharged.

The Ministry of Justice has placed increased focus on alternative dispute resolution methods, such as restorative justice and meditation, as tools for Jamaicans to settle their disagreements peacefully, and to reduce the number of cases being placed before the courts.

The restorative justice centres form part of the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to improve alternative dispute resolution methods. The centres are equipped to handle matters related to child diversion, restorative justice, and dispute resolution, among other justice-related issues. They also serve as a point of contact for custodes and justices of the peace.