MONTEGO BAY, St James — What started as a late-night domestic dispute in Barrett Hall, St James, this summer quickly escalated, landing Michelle Scarlett before the St James Parish Court to answer charges of assaulting a constable and assault occasioning bodily harm.

On Wednesday, Scarlett pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton.

Court documents indicate that about 11:00 pm on July 19 a policeman responded to a call concerning an escalating argument between Scarlett and her spouse. While attempting to mediate and restore calm, the cop alleged that Scarlett grabbed a chair and struck him in the chest, causing him to lose his balance. The impact reportedly left him with chest pain, a persistent headache, and shortness of breath, according to court documents.

Scarlett, however, has rejected the allegations outright. In court, she gave a detailed and impassioned account of the night’s events, disputing the policeman’s version, explaining what sparked the confrontation, and elaborating on incidents not a part of the allegations outlined in court.

Following Scarlett’s lengthy speech the court noted that the medical certificate and a statement from another cop on the scene had not yet been submitted.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton then set the matter for a case management hearing on October 29 and granted an extension of Scarlett’s bail.