ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Two Jamaicans are set to be deported after appearing in an Antiguan court on charges of illegal entry and involvement in a physical altercation with an immigration officer at VC Bird International Airport.

The women, identified as Alicia Ricketts and Renea Nelson, were denied entry upon their arrival on Sunday but allegedly became disorderly, with Nelson reportedly becoming increasingly disruptive even while in custody.

The situation escalated when Ricketts allegedly assaulted an immigration officer, tearing her uniform blouse in the process.

Ricketts later pleaded guilty to battery and was fined EC$400. She was also fined an additional EC$500 for resisting arrest, while Nelson, who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, was fined EC$250.

The Immigration Department then asked Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel, at the District B Magistrate’s Court, to approve their immediate deportation, which the court granted.

The women are to be sent back to Jamaica on the next available flight.

Meanwhile, authorities reported that 62-year-old Corrol Lee Gayle, who had been residing in Antigua since 2018, has already been deported after illegally entering the country.

Gayle is reported to have entered by boat on August 18 and disembarked without immigration authorisation. He was subsequently charged with unlawful entry, using an undesignated port, failing to report to immigration, and overstaying his permit, which expired in December 2018.

Gayle admitted to the charges and was reprimanded and discharged, but immigration officials ordered his deportation.