A Vincentian woman has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of court orders after she and her family allegedly remain unpaid months after compensation was ordered by the Magistrates’ Court.
Speaking directly to the Cliplet News, Laurette Stephens, who is reporting on her own experience, said the matter involves her niece, Sorhea Jackson, of Queen’s Drive, who was charged in court for causing bodily harm on multiple occasions.
According to Stephens, the charges stemmed from separate incidents involving herself, her daughter Topanga Henville, and her nephew—who is also the brother of the accused.
Stephens explained that when the matter was heard in court, Jackson was ordered to pay a total of EC$2,000 in compensation: EC$1,200 to Stephens and EC$800 to her daughter. The payment was reportedly scheduled to be made within a specific timeframe set by the court.
On the day of the court appearance, Jackson paid EC$250, which Stephens said was divided into EC$150 for herself and EC$100 for her daughter. Stephens provided Cliplet News with a photo of the official court receipt confirming that payment. However, she said that payment was the first—and only—amount received to date.
Stephens told Cliplet News that Jackson was given until the end of August to make further payments toward the amount owed to her, while she reportedly had until October to complete the payments owed to her daughter. Despite those deadlines passing, Stephens claims no additional money has been paid to any of the victims, including her nephew.
“Up to now, nothing has been paid for me, my daughter, or my nephew,” Stephens said. “All they keep telling us is that warrants were made.”
According to Stephens, although warrants were reportedly issued for non-compliance with the court’s order, no arrest has been made. “It’s January now and still nothing,” she said. “The warrants are still out, but nobody is being picked up.”
Stephens questioned the effectiveness of the justice system when court-ordered payments are not enforced. “What’s the use of a court telling someone they have to pay a certain amount by a certain time if they don’t pay and nothing happens?” she asked.
She also expressed frustration over what she views as unequal enforcement of the law. “Police go and lock up people for small, stupid things,” Stephens said. “But in this case, nothing is happening.”
Stephens added that she feels powerless and fearful about taking any action herself. “If I do something, they will come fast for me and find where I live,” she said. “All I have to show for this whole thing is one paper—the receipt for the EC$250 she paid that first day.”
She further alleged that despite the accused being involved in multiple altercations, enforcement action appears slow or nonexistent. “Every fight that happens, she’s in it,” Stephens claimed.
The situation has raised broader questions about accountability and the execution of court orders, particularly in cases involving compensation to victims. Stephens is now calling for clarity on why warrants, once issued, are not being executed and what recourse victims have when court deadlines are ignored.
Cliplet News understands that attempts are ongoing to obtain official comment from court officials and the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force regarding the status of the alleged warrants and enforcement procedures.
This is a developing story. Cliplet News will continue to follow the matter and provide updates as more information becomes available.
