workplace dispute at the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board that escalated into a violent attack has landed employee Rockell Browne in prison for four years.
Browne was sentenced today by Justice John Spencer after being found guilty of wounding following a judge-only trial in the High Court in July.
The court heard that Browne stabbed a female co-worker three times with a pair of scissors during the 2022 confrontation.
Before the sentence was handed down, Browne apologised directly to the complainant in court.
Her attorney, Wendel Alexander, asked the judge to consider Browne’s remorse and personal circumstances, including the fact that she has children.
Alexander told the court that Browne had already faced consequences for the incident, having been suspended from her Transport Board job for two weeks.
He also noted that the complainant’s injuries were not serious enough to require a lengthy hospital stay and pointed to a probation report that he said was strongly in Browne’s favour.
The lawyer asked the court to consider a compensation order.
Browne, who has spent 13 years working at the Transport Board and had recently been promoted, faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Justice Spencer said the probation report described Browne as a respectable woman who was normally peaceful and reserved.
But the judge also noted the report’s observation that Browne could be hot-headed.
He further questioned the timing of her apology, pointing out that it came after the matter had already gone through trial.
The judge also relied on video footage of the incident, which he said clearly showed Browne initiating the confrontation.
Justice Spencer nevertheless considered the mitigating circumstances, including Browne’s children, and imposed a four-year sentence, describing it as significantly reduced after those factors were taken into account.
Browne was also ordered to undergo anger-management counselling.
How the fight escalated
The incident occurred in 2022 as the complainant was leaving work.
The court heard that she had already clocked out and was entering a room to collect her bag when she and Browne crossed paths in the doorway.
Although the two women were not close, there was no evidence of any significant hostility between them. The complainant did, however, describe previous minor friction, including occasions when Browne would brush against her shoulder.
On the day of the incident, the court heard that Browne shoved the woman with enough force to send her back into a light switch, causing the room to go dark.
A physical altercation followed.
When another person intervened and separated the women, Browne grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the complainant three times.
Browne maintained that she had acted in self-defence.
She claimed that both women had attacked her and alleged that the complainant was the person who habitually bumped into her at work.
Browne also said she had previously complained about the woman’s behaviour to three supervisors.
One of those supervisors, however, testified that Browne had never made such a complaint to her.
A witness who saw the altercation also gave evidence during the trial.
After considering the evidence, Justice Spencer rejected Browne’s claim of self-defence and found her guilty of wounding.
