Judge tells woman to seek forgiveness at church

A judged fined a woman who confessed to travelling to the island on a bogus passport $90,000 when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court last week.

Anita Gabbidon, a Jamaican, pleaded guilty to charges of forgery and uttering a forged document when she appeared in court.

It was outlined that Gabbidon arrived at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on November 26, and presented the immigration officer with a passport that bears her photograph, but different name.

The immigration officer, upon realising that the document was forged, called the police and Gabbidon was arrested.

When she appeared in court, she was asked by Senior Resident Magistrate, Judith Pusey, if there was any reason why she should not be sent to jail.

Gabbidon said no, but expressed remorse about her action, and asked for forgiveness, to which the magistrate indicated to her that court was not the right place to seek forgiveness, advising her that the nearby St Andrew Parish Church was a better option in that regard.

However, RM Pusey fined Gabbidon $50,000 or six months for forgery, and $40,000 or six months for uttering a forged document.