Woman to be sentenced under CyberCrime Act today

Defamatory Facebook posts, the work of one Lower Questelles woman, may result in the first conviction under the CyberCrime Act 2016.

Catisha Pierre will return to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court to be sentenced today, having pleaded guilty to four counts of libel under the CyberCrime Act, against her sister Crystal Pierre.

Previously, this Monday, she was charged that she did make libellous posts using electronic communication on January 30 this year.

Provided there is no change in plea by the defendant, reasons for which must be accepted by senior magistrate Rickie Burnett, the magistrate will give his decision on what punishment Catisha will receive.

Under the CyberCrime Act 2016, s19(1), dealing with libel by electronic communication, “A person who uses a computer system to unlawfully publish any defamatory matter concerning another person, with intent to defame that other person, commits an offence.”

Further s19(2) speaks to the punishment for such acts, saying, “A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 or to imprisonment for two years or to both.”