ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., has granted bail in the sum of $100,000 to teenaged baby-sitter, Fatima Martin, who has been convicted by a magistrate for assaulting the toddler child of another magistrate with whom she had been employed as a baby-sitter.Martin was allegedly left alone at home with the toddler whilst the child’s parents were out. When the parents returned, they reportedly found bruises about the child’s body; and, according to reports, when they questioned Martin, she admitted assaulting the child.

The matter was reported to the police, and Martin was charged and placed before the court, where another magistrate imposed on her the maximum penalty applicable for the offence –five years jail.

Martin has since appealed the sentence; and, yesterday, application for bail pending the hearing of that appeal was made to the chief justice on behalf of the 18-year-old Fatima Martin.

Following Martin’s trial and conviction, activists from three human rights groups had lobbied members of the Caribbean Court of Justice, who were meeting in an historic court sitting at the Guyana International Conference Centre, citing the speed at which the teen had been tried and convicted, and expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling of the trial magistrate.
Written By George Barclay