Fight over missing cookies lands sisters in court
A woman who hit her sister with a stick and saucepan during a dispute over cookies at their home has been given a conditional discharge by a magistrate.
Tara Burrows, 40, told Magistrates’ Court she got into a fight with Kimberley Burrows, 37, because the snacks went missing from the fridge at their Benny’s Bay Road, Sandys residence.
The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to assaulting her sister, threatening her, and resisting arrest.
She explained to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that she is a mother, and feared being sent to jail.
When Mr Warner assured her that a jail sentence would not be imposed, she changed her plea to guilty.
Prosecutor Larissa Burgess told the court the sisters got into an altercation on the evening of May 28. Tara hit Kimberley, struck her about the body with a pot and then chased her with it shouting “I will kill you”.
Officers called heard Tara shouting threats at Kimberley, and she refused to calm down when they spoke to her. Instead, she picked up a plate and slammed it down on the kitchen counter, shattering it.
She was arrested, but tried to kick and bite officers as they placed her in handcuffs.
Kimberley suffered a bruised face and arms, according to the prosecutor.
During an interview, Tara told police “she assaulted me first”, and apologised for her behaviour towards them.
When Mr Warner inquired about what happened, she told him: “It was something stupid. My son kept going in the fridge and taking cookies. She kept asking what was happening to the cookies. I was busy and she raised her voice.”
This caused the magistrate to reply: “Oh dear me.”
The defendant said her sister apologised over the incident and they are seeking counselling.
“We are getting along just perfect,” she added.
Mr Warner told her: “What are you doing in my court? I hope this shows you can’t behave this way, even in your own kitchen. You can’t assault your sister.”
He gave her a conditional discharge, which means she will not have to go to jail as long as she stays out of trouble for the next 12 months, keeps the peace, and carries on with the counselling.
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Published Jun 29, 2012 at 8:51 am (Updated Jun 29, 2012 at 8:50 am)