KINGSTON, Jamaica — A woman charged with destruction of property broke down in tears in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after turning up late without the money she was ordered to pay in restitution.

Shyan Hamilton appeared before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell, who sternly questioned whether she had come prepared to go to jail.

“You must have come prepared to go to jail. You’re late and didn’t bring any money,” Burrell said.

Hamilton tearfully explained that she had tried to come up with the money but was unsuccessful. She also revealed that she had just started a job on Monday and that her family had recently buried her aunt.

Judge Burrell told Hamilton to stop crying and asked how much time she needed to pay the money. Hamilton requested two weeks, which Burrell granted but not before questioning whether she would leave and boast about getting off by crying.

Burrell emphasised that she should tell whoever is helping her that she was almost put in jail and to put together the money quickly.

“You see if you run away, we’ll find you. We have JamaicaEye, and it’s very effective,” the judge warned.

The matter was sent to case management for July 15.

Burrell cautioned Hamilton that, since the court had extended her a courtesy, she must be the first to turn up that day.

— Carlysia Ramdeen