“Gratefully guilty…just send me to jail” – woman who stomped pensioner in chest tells Magistrate

…sentenced to 9 months in prison

In a courtroom showdown that left jaws on the floor, 23-year-old Shania Melville put on a display as she faced a charge of assault causing bodily harm against a 76-year-old pensioner. In court on Friday, she showed a lack of remorse, her bizarre courtroom antics, and her shocking words: “I don’t have to explain anything to you. You do what you have to do, and I will do what I have to do.”

Melville appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, where she was accused of stomping on the chest of Joseph Canterbury in an attack at Stabroek Market, Georgetown on Wednesday.
When Magistrate McGusty began reading the charge, Melville begun her disruption, constantly interrupting and questioning the Magistrate. When she was asked to plea to the charge, she responded “gratefully guilty.” She immediately tried to walk out of the prisoner’s dock but was stopped by the Magistrate.
Magistrate McGusty gave her a chance to explain herself. Instead of remorse, Melville scoffed, “For my action?… I don’t have no time for you, I don’t have time for this, just send me to jail! My Worship me ain’t get time for you! You do what you have to do, and I will so what I have to do”
As the Prosecutor detailed Melville’s disturbing pattern of violent behaviour, including assaulting a police officer in a previous case, Melville laughed out loud.
“How, you know I did that. I was assaulted by a police officer!” she blurted out, grinning as though the courtroom was a stage for her personal comedy show.
When Canterbury himself took the stand to recount his ordeal, he described how he was walking in Stabroek Market, when Melville shoved him into a corner at the crowded market, sending him crashing to the ground.
When he protested saying “Like y’all f***ing people don’t have manners”, she turned back, glared at him, and with zero hesitation, stomped on his chest once while he was still laying on the ground. The pensioner further stated that it was witnesses on scene who intervened before she could do more harm.
As Canterbury spoke, Melville bent over and pointed her clothed backside in his direction.
Gasps rippled through the courtroom. A few people covered their mouths in shock. Others exchanged wide-eyed glances, as if questioning whether this was really happening.
Magistrate McGusty asked Melville if she had anything to say, she told Magistrate McGusty that she knows what she did was wrong, but she “did it for a reason.” When pressed further, she snapped, “I’m not repeating anything.”
Melville then tried to blame a “urinal issue” for her actions, claiming that Canterbury had bumped into her, aggravating her condition. And then, in an utterly bizarre twist, she claimed that kicking him actually made her feel better.
Magistrate McGusty reminded her of the importance of respect, both for the court and for elderly persons. While the charge carried an 18-month prison sentence, the Magistrate sentenced the 23-year-old to nine months in prison. She said she hoped Melville would receive anger management counselling while behind bars.
As officers led Melville away, she still showed no remorse. Instead, she smirked, as if prison was just another stop on her wild, unapologetic journey.
In April 2024, Melville faced charges of assaulting two police officers and engaging in threatening behaviour at Stabroek Market.
The accused had appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded not guilty to all charges. The incidents reportedly took place on April 15 along the Stabroek Back Road. Melville was accused of attacking Lance Corporal Elizabeth Daniels with the intent to cause harm and assaulting another officer at the market on the same day. Additionally, she allegedly used threatening language toward Daniels.
Following her court appearance, Melville was granted bail in the amount of $80,000. Her next hearing was scheduled for April 29, 2024. The outcome of the case remains unknown.