Jamaican women deported after beating immigration officer in Antigua

Two Jamaican women are facing legal repercussions and deportation following an altercation with an immigration officer at VC Bird International Airport on September 1.

Alicia Ricketts, who, along with her friend, was being denied re-entry into Antigua, assaulted the officer by kicking her in the chest. Ricketts was also charged with malicious damage for tearing the officer's uniform and for resisting arrest.

Appearing in All Saints Court before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday, Ricketts pleaded guilty to all charges. She was fined $400 for battery, with the alternative of seven days in prison if unpaid, and was reprimanded and discharged for the malicious damage. Additionally, she received a $500 fine for resisting arrest, with another seven-day prison sentence if the fine is not paid.

Her companion, Renea Nelson, was fined $250 for disorderly conduct due to excessive noise, with a three-day imprisonment term if the fine goes unpaid.

Following the court hearing, immigration officials ordered the deportation of both women, who are scheduled to return to Jamaica on Sunday.

In a separate incident, 62-year-old Jamaican Corrol Lee Gayle was also deported from Antigua. Gayle, who arrived by boat without authorization, was charged with unlawful entry, entering through an undesignated port, and failure to present himself to immigration authorities. He had overstayed his permit, which expired in December 2018.

Gayle pleaded guilty to all charges, was reprimanded and discharged, but was ordered deported at the request of immigration officials. He was detained overnight and left Antigua the next day.