Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

Margaret Berry, the woman, who last year, accused several ISCF officers of assaulting her and her husband in Half- Way Tree, was yesterday sentenced in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

The incident which occurred in May 2006, sparked public outrage and prompted then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to demand a report on the matter. ISCF Commandant William Malabver, who was in charge of the team that was implicated in the beating was removed from front line duty by the Commissioner of Police.

Reports were that Margaret and her husband Leroy, both of Arnett Gardens addresses, were beaten by officers who accused Berry of operating an illegal taxi. The male officers were accused of beating Berry after she reportedly tried to prevent the further beating of her husband. She was reportedly also pepper-sprayed by a female officer.

The Director of Public Prosecutions later ruled however that no criminal charges should be laid against the officers who were involved.

Mrs. Berry who had reportedly conducted herself in a less than decent manner was eventually slapped with several charges including obstructing the police, indecent exposure, disobeying a lawful order given to her by the police, resisting arrest, assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of assaulting the police and disorderly conduct.

When she appeared before RM Paula Blake - Powell on Thursday, she was fined $50,000 for the assault charge and was also ordered to undergo one year of probation.

She is to return to court on December 8 to answer the other charges.