The niece of a prominent defence lawyer was charged in Magistrates' Court yesterday with scratching a Police officer in her eye so badly that the officer may lose her sight.

Jah-nikka Young, 22, of Rec View Hill in Devonshire and niece of lawyer Llewellyn Peniston, was charged in Magistrates' Court with resisting arrest, damaging a Police uniform, and causing bodily harm to a female Police officer.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court Police were called to the scene of a domestic dispute on Loyal Hill on Friday evening at around 3.46 a.m. Young was one of three people involved in a domestic dispute there.

When officers asked her to leave, Young attacked one female Police officer, scratching her in the eye in the process and causing her to lose her contact lens. Initial medical reports show a large abrasion over 99 percent of the officer's cornea, and state she is suffering from intense pain, sensitivity to light and tearing. However, it was still too early to tell if the officer's sight will be damaged in the long run as a result.

Mr. Peniston, who was duty counsel in Magistrates' Court yesterday, told the court his niece had been drinking and had been in an argument. He asked for Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves to call for a social inquiry report into the matter.

Mr. Greaves ordered the report, stating he wanted time before sentencing Young as, if the officer does lose her sight, "I got a feeling you are going to jail".

He bailed Young for $2,500 with a like surety, and also ordered a victim impact statement and a medical report to be ready for Young's next court appearance on November 5.