BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AN unemployed single parent has levelled accusations against a City Magistrate of rendering special treatment to her son’s father whenever he appears in court for unpaid child support.
She also accused the City Magistrate of hurling sarcastic remarks at her on more than one occasion whilst in court.
The single parent, who gave her name as Denise Stevens, said that her child’s father is a member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
“I have a 15-year-old for a police officer and since 2005 I have been summonsing him for maintenance. Every time I want the money I have to summons him because he doesn’t like to pay willingly. When we go to the Court we used to meet Ms. Mallalieu on the bench and, because of being there on a regular basis, at one time she told him not to return there. But since last year a new Magistrate is on the bench. Every time we go there she (name provided) asking him when he could pay the money and he normally tells her when he could do so.
“On one occasion she asked him when he could pay the money and he said in a week’s time. She in turn told him that he could do so within two weeks, and he waited until the final day before paying the money.”
Stevens explained that her child’s father was involved in an accident and he uses that as an excuse for not paying the money at the stipulated time, adding that when she offered an explanation the Magistrate responded with sarcasm.
“He was involved in an accident and I know that the police have insurance and that would have covered all expenses arising out of that. But every time we go before that Magistrate he would tell her how monies had to be expended on treatment. So, last month when we went before her and he again talked about the accident, I told her that the insurance will look after him, but I left my son at home rolling on the floor with pain because he suffers from Scoliosis and that I am also sick with a back injury. She told me: ‘Well, you sick, he sick, all allyu go to the chiropractor.’”
The unemployed mother said that the sarcasm continued as recent as last week.
”We went back last week and he told her that all of his salary is tied up and that he had to depend on some business he has over in Frigate Bay. So I said it isn’t right that every time I want the money I have to be coming here. I sick, the child sick and I want the money to carry him for therapy. The Magistrate then turn to me and said: ‘You sick, the father sick and the child sick, allyu go open a club.’”
Stevens said she felt embarrassed and tears came to her eyes, because ‘every time I go to court I feel that she is making a mockery about people’s sickness. She ain’t telling him about supporting the child or asking if the child is improving. I was not asking for any extra money! All that I was asking for is the money that he owes so that I can take the child for therapy or whatever”.
Recounting what occurred in court last week and also this morning (Nov. 6), Stevens said she was pleased with the decision made by another Magistrate.
“Last week when we went to court he paid me for six weeks, and today I went back because he has 10 more weeks’ for me but he didn’t turn up. However, Ms. Mallalieu ordered in his absence that he must pay the money forthwith and instructed that he must be served a warrant. This 10-week payment does not include last month’s support and the first week in this month.”
Asked if she had at any time sought to have the maintenance fee deducted from his salary, Stevens replied in the affirmative but stated that she received no justice from a senior officer.
“I had made an appointment to see the Commissioner and a lady at his office told me that I couldn’t see him and that she was going to put on to see somebody named Dolphin. In February this year I went to see Dolphin in company with a female friend and I told him about the situation. Dolphin said that after listening to me it seemed as if the man has made up his mind not to support the child. He then told me that he has a son who works at Government Headquarters and he would find out from him if the money could be deducted from my child father’s salary. He took my name and telephone number and since then I haven’t heard from him.”
Stevens also explained that her child’s father is supposed to be paying her $75 per week but he waits until the month ends before doing so.
She further explained that in the distant past, at the end of every month, he used to take the money to her lawyer, Hesketh Benjamin, but it would have only amounted to $300. And when rebuked by the lawyer, because only one month has four weeks, and asked to pay the difference, he started paying it through his lawyer.
Stevens said the same thing occurred at his lawyer and her child’s father said he also wanted to rob him, so he decided to give her the money personally. He however started to falter since 2005.
“When we used to go to court at the beginning when he refused to honour his obligation, it was before Ms. Mallalieu and she never used to make joke with him. So after realising he couldn’t get through with her he stopped going to court and used to bring the money to me. But now he knows that the Magistrate has changed he is taking advantage of the situation,” Stevens said.
“To me,” she added, “all of her decisions reflect that she is on his side.”
