MONTEGO BAY, St James — A British woman who has been living in a shelter has been fined $10,000 after pleading guilty to exceeding her authorised stay in Jamaica.

Janet Johnson appeared before parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley on Wednesday at the St James Parish Court.

According to court documents, Johnson arrived in the island on November 10, 2021 and was granted permission to stay until February 8, 2022. She did not seek an extension of stay.

She was arrested after authorities found her at a shelter in Montego Bay.

In handing down the sentence, Smith-Ashley ordered her to pay a fine of $10,000 or 10 days in jail. A removal order was recommended.

Following the judge’s ruling, Johnson reminded the court that she is the complainant in a case before the St James Circuit Court. However, the judge informed her that she could not remain in the country unless she was granted permission.

“It means that you have to go and come back,” Smith-Ashley told Johnson before allowing her to exit the prisoner’s dock.