Transport Board Worker Jailed for Four Years Following Scissors Attack on Colleague

A workplace dispute that escalated into violence has resulted in a four-year prison sentence for Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board employee Rockell Browne. Browne was convicted of wounding after the High Court heard evidence that she stabbed a female colleague three times with a pair of scissors during an altercation at their workplace in 2022. Justice John Spencer handed down the sentence following Browne's conviction at a judge-only trial in July. Before learning her sentence, Browne addressed the complainant directly in court and apologised for what had occurred. Defence attorney Wendel Alexander urged the court to take several factors into consideration when determining an appropriate punishment. He told the court that Browne had expressed remorse and had already experienced employment-related consequences, including a two-week suspension following the incident. Alexander also highlighted the extent of the complainant's injuries, noting that they did not result in a lengthy hospital stay. He further pointed to what he described as a favourable probation report and asked the court to consider compensation as an alternative consideration. Browne had faced a possible maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. The court heard that she has been employed at the Transport Board for approximately 13 years and had recently been promoted. In reviewing Browne's personal circumstances, Justice Spencer acknowledged that the probation report portrayed her as a respectable member of her community who was generally considered peaceful and reserved. However, another observation in the report raised concerns for the judge, as it suggested that Browne could become hot-headed. Justice Spencer also questioned the weight that should be placed on Browne's apology because it was made after the case had proceeded to trial. The judge additionally referred to video evidence of the confrontation, which the court found showed Browne initiating the encounter. After weighing the circumstances of the offence against the mitigating factors presented on Browne's behalf, including consideration of her children, Justice Spencer imposed a four-year custodial sentence. Browne was also ordered to participate in anger-management counselling. How the confrontation unfolded The incident occurred in 2022 as Browne's colleague was preparing to leave work for the day. According to evidence presented at trial, the two women were not close friends, but there was also no indication of any major longstanding dispute between them. The complainant did, however, describe previous minor tensions, including occasions when she said Browne brushed against her shoulder. On the day of the confrontation, the complainant had already clocked out and was going into a room to collect her bag when she and Browne met at the doorway. Evidence before the court indicated that Browne pushed the woman, causing her back to hit a light switch and leaving the room in darkness. A physical struggle then developed between the women. Another individual eventually stepped in and attempted to separate them. It was during the confrontation that Browne obtained a pair of scissors and stabbed her colleague three times. Browne denied that she was the aggressor and maintained throughout the trial that she had acted in self-defence. She claimed that she was attacked and gave a different account of the previous workplace friction, alleging that the complainant was the person who regularly bumped into her. She also told the court that she had previously reported the complainant's behaviour to three supervisors. That claim was challenged during the proceedings when one of the supervisors testified that Browne had never made such a complaint to her. The High Court also heard testimony from a witness who saw the altercation. After considering the testimony, video evidence and other evidence presented during the trial, Justice Spencer rejected Browne's claim that she had acted in self-defence and convicted her of wounding. The case has now concluded with Browne receiving a four-year prison sentence along with an order to undergo anger-management counselling.