Sisters, father in altercation after 14-year-old stays out late

Magistrate Allan Wilson yesterday discharged the case against two Sophia sisters accused of threatening and assaulting their father, Brian Singh after he reprimanded the 14-year-old for coming home in the wee hours of the morning.

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Court heard that Samara Singh and her 14-year-old sister pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful assault and making use of threatening language to their father on February 24, at North Sophia, Georgetown.

According to the facts of the case, on the said day Singh rebuked his 14-year-old daughter for coming home in the early morning hours after attending the Popcaan show at the National Park. She became annoyed and they had an exchange of words.

Samara then came to her defence; telling her father that he had no right to rebuke her sister as he does not take care of them. This allegedly led to a scuffle among the trio and Samara and her sister armed themselves.

The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to all three being charged. When the matter was called, Singh did not appear in court. However, the 14-year-old said that the statements given to the court were not entirely true and did not detail everything that had happened.

The Magistrate advised the sisters that at this stage of their lives they should be concentrating on their education. He also told the minor that she should not be out in the wee hours of the morning; rather she should be at home doing assignments. He also advised the sisters that though their father may not be meeting his responsibilities in providing for them that does not give them the right to be rude to him.

The magistrate then urged them to aspire to come to court as a lawyer or magistrate, not to stand in the docks. Further, he said that a conviction at their tender ages could ruin the rest of their lives therefore he discharged the case against them.