A woman accused of impersonating a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier for more than a year was given a suspended sentence when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The accused, 24-year-old Antoinette Hudson, a security guard of a Corporate Area address, was held while requesting new uniforms.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown gave her a suspended sentence after pleas for a chance from her attorney. He also suggested that the army send pictures of the accused to all its bases to prevent a reoccurrence. The attorney representing the JDF said that was already done. RM Brown sentenced her to 12 month's imprisonment at hard labour, suspended for 12 months.

MORE THAN A YEAR

Allegations are that Hudson had been impersonating a JDF soldier for more than a year by wearing the uniform she claimed had been issued to her by a member of the JDF. On May 1, Hudson was allowed on to the military base after pretending to be the daughter of a senior-ranking officer.

She then went to the army stores where she requested three sets of uniforms, while pretending to be a member of the intelligence arm of the force.

However, she aroused the suspicion of the stores operator when she was unable to provide her regimental number upon request.

She was subsequently held by the military police before being turned over to the Jamaica Constabulary Force after investigations revealed that she was an impostor.