WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James woman accused of setting fire to window curtains belonging to her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, is to return to the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on April 15.

Sophia Baronett, from Cornwall Courts in Montego Bay, pleaded not guilty to malicious destruction of property committed against Yashika Hamilton, when the case was called up on Monday.

Allegations are that on February 5, Baronett went to Hamilton's section of the property, where they jointly reside, and used a lighter to set the complainant's curtains on fire.

"This young miss came to my boyfriend's house and light the curtain and run. She and the guy (boyfriend) used to be friends, but they're not friends anymore, so through me and the guy start talking, that's how the conflict start," Hamilton told the court.

"She (Baronett) put her hand through the window with the lighter, trying to catch the curtain afire, and she ran," the complainant added.

But Baronett steadfastly denied knowledge of the incident, even when pressed by Resident Magistrate Sheron Barnes.

"Did you light the people's curtain? How was the curtain damaged?" asked RM Barnes.

"I don't know," said Baronett.

"How come you don't know?" the magistrate asked.

"I wasn't there. I was at the beach with my co-worker," the accused woman answered.

The case was subsequently set for mention and Baronett was ordered to submit her fingerprints to the police.