NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – A Jamaican woman is set to be handed over to The Bahamas Department of Immigration after serving her sentence for injuring her ex-boyfriend during a fight in which she claimed he stabbed her.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville said that while the offence carried a maximum sentence of one year in prison, he fined 18-year-old Melissa Coke US$500 or three months’ imprisonment.

The court heard that Coke reportedly hit Keano Rolle in the head with a hammer during a fight at their residence on July 8. Coke reportedly took Rolle’s phone during an argument before the dispute escalated and even though she pleaded guilty to causing harm, she claimed she acted in self-defence.

Coke alleged that Rolle stabbed and struck her during the same altercation.

Magistrate Serville noted that Rolle is also before the court in connection with the incident and referred to the extreme provocation Coke endured. However, he said he wanted the sentence to deter similar incidents.

The court also ruled that after paying the fine or completing the prison term, Coke will be handed over to the Department of Immigration.