Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two St James teachers who got into a fight after one accused the other of telling lies on her were ordered to attend mediation sessions when they appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court on Wednesday.

Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tie made the order after Shanel Clarke, a teacher from Montego Bay, pleaded guilty with explanation to assault occasioning actual bodily harm committed against Samoya Lightbody.

The court was told that earlier this month, Clarke scratched Lightbody's face and bit her, causing injuries to the complainant.

In her explanation, Clarke told RM Tie that Lightbody had told lies about her to Clarke's boyfriend, and that the complainant had attacked her first.

"I have been with this guy and he was abroad, and she (Lightbody) sourced his number, and when he came, she told a lot of lies on me," said Clarke. "I saw him at Mount Salem, and while I was speaking to him, she attacked me from behind and I defended myself."

The court was told that Lightbody's medical certificate was on the prosecution's case-file.

"Would you want to try mediation before this matter is tried?" RM Tie asked the women.

"I have scars that I'm going to have to live with," Lightbody replied emphatically.

The case was subsequently set for mention on June 24 and the women were advised to attend mediation to settle their differences.