A bail application for a Kingston bartender, who had teardrop tattoos under both eyes and two cherry tattoos on her neck, was not heard in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after the judge raised concerns about her image.

Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell pointed out in court last week Wednesday that she could not hear the application as there were questions pertaining to the character and behaviour of the accused, Natalie Sutherland, based on the image she portrayed, that first needed to be answered.

Sutherland, 30, who is of light brown complexion, was brought before the court on a charge of wounding with intent, following allegations that she used a broken bottle to stab a fellow tenant in his eyes during a dispute. The incident resulted in the complainant being unable to see from the injured eye.

Consequently, her lawyer, Hannah Harris-Barrington, attempted to make a bail application but was stopped by the judge, who told her that she would have to return to court to make a fresh application and that her current application would be recorded as “not heard”.

Judge Burrell said she could not turn a blind eye to Sutherland’s image, hence it would be better if the court was put in a position to answer questions having to do with how she is regarded by individuals in her community, how she behaves and her ties to the community.

“I can’t ignore the tattoos on her face and on her neck,” the judge said.

“It is not the ordinary citizen who goes and tattoo their face. This lady does not present like a normal citizen,” Judge Burrell added.

The judge, who had quickly spotted Sutherland’s facial ink and noted that she had never seen a female with those tattoos on their face before, asked Sutherland what the tattoos meant.

“Nothing, they are just for style,” she answered.

“So you are not a part of the Cherry Gang?” the judge also asked Sutherland, who replied: “No.”

Judge Burrell also questioned Sutherland about the type of jobs she does and was told that besides bartending, she also does babysitting.

“You think people going to employ you to look after their children with tattoos under your eyes and up your neck? Don’t bother think because I have on glasses up here, I live in the real world,” the judge remarked.

The judge stressed that individuals must take responsibility for the way they present themselves, as tattoos are a form of branding.

Burrell also suggested to the lawyer that it would be good if she could have a reputable member of Sutherland’s community attend court to speak on the accused behalf.

“I am so sorry Ms Sutherland,” the judge then said, before remanding Sutherland until May 18.

According to Harris-Barrington, the complainant was injured by Sutherland while he was running towards her children with a cutlass.

She said that her client and the complainant had a dispute after the complainant reportedly went into a kitchen, which they shared, while she was preparing meat and threw dirty pans on the meat.

The lawyer said, as a result, a dispute ensued in which the complainant allegedly beat her client and then went to his room for the cutlass.