Jamaican TikTok User in Legal Trouble for Menacing Video; Admits Illegal Status

A Jamaican who took to TikTok to cast aspersions on a fellow national was handed over to immigration officials when she appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Lenice Abigail Townsend, 29, self-employed, of 2nd Avenue, Goodland, St Michael, who admitted she was here illegally, pleaded guilty to using a computer – a smartphone – to send an article [a video] which was menacing and which she intended to cause or was reckless as to whether it caused distress or anxiety to Samara Darby on June 26.

Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips said the women knew each other through the complainant’s boyfriend, who allowed Townsend to stay with his family.

Darby’s boyfriend came home quite annoyed one day and informed her that alias “Maddy” (Townsend) told him that his girlfriend was working voodoo on him. The same night the complainant went on TikTok and saw Townsend, who was live, making the same accusations. The matter was reported to police.

Darby, who was in court, said Townsend had “been doing it since 2022”.

She said she considered dropping the matter last Friday but her boyfriend advised her against doing so, saying if she did, Townsend would only continue to make such statements.

“Saturday night she went live and say the same words about me. Then last night (Thursday) she was on TikTok saying, ‘It is court for court and it is charge for charge’, but she didn’t mention my name. But that is how I know I have court today [yesterday],” the complainant said.

Townsend later admitted she was live on TikTok but did not call the complainant’s name. Instead, she claimed a pastor from Jamaica came on and prayed for her.

She added that her live TikTok videos helped to pay for her rent.

Townsend then told the complainant: “Samara, I’m very sorry about me going on TikTok and saying the words.”

Her attorney Neville Reid had earlier told the court that while the words Townsend used were offensive, they were not

as offensive as others.

“If we remand her it will be a cost to the State. If Immigration takes her, it will be a cost to the State,” he said.

“My understanding is she has lost her passport and she has reported it to police,” the attorney added, as he urged the court not to record a conviction against the non-national.

Magistrate Manila Renee ordered Townsend not to interfere with the complainant.

“Go on TikTok and talk about your business,” she told her.

She reprimanded Townsend and discharged her into the custody of waiting immigration officials.

The court had heard that Townsend arrived in Barbados on June 4, 2021, and was given six months’ stay. She did not regularise her status and there was no evidence that she had made any attempt to do so.

“According to our records, she is here illegally,” an immigration officer told the court. (HLE)