KINGSTON, Jamaica — A woman accused of chopping her neighbour during a dispute is set to go on trial in June 2025.

Fifty-four-year-old Sharine Moore is alleged to have inflicted a deep wound to the finger of her 59-year-old male neighbour during an altercation and has been charged with unlawful wounding.

According to the complainant, he and Moore got into an argument after she bumped into him. He claimed that the argument escalated and Moore used a machete to chop him, leading to the injury.

Moore, however, provided a different account. She told the court that the complainant was in her way as she entered the back door of the property. When she bumped into him, he reportedly pushed her and then charged at her with a “half las” (a small machete). She said she ran to the kitchen and grabbed a machete before acting in self-defence. Moore also claimed this was not the first time the complainant had acted aggressively toward her.

After hearing Moore’s version of events, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell encouraged her to “bring this to trial and tell it with the same level of conviction.”

The judge asked the man if he would consider mediation, but he declined, stating he wanted damages instead. Judge Burrell responded sharply, “Everybody is asking for money, and this is not a money court.” When asked to specify an amount, the man did not provide an answer.

The trial has been set for June 19, 2025.

– Carlysia Ramdeen