Haitian woman abandoned in Jamaica by lover

A Haitian woman who has been in Jamaica illegally for 10 months opted to purchase her own ticket to be repatriated, as opposed to being ordered deported.

Mirielle Valcin, with the assistance of a French interpreter, pleaded guilty to illegal entry in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors said Valcin was arrested after she was seen at the Hellshire Beach in St Catherine on September 8.

Valcin told the court that she met a Jamaican man while in Haiti. She said the man brought her back to Jamaica as his partner but abandoned her thereafter.

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque indicated that the penalty for illegal entry was a fine of $10,000 or a term of imprisonment of not less than 30 days. The person will also be deported. However, Valcin indicated that she would prefer to purchase her a ticket to return home.

The court was told that a flight was due to leave Jamaica, for Haiti, on October 13. The matter was adjourned until October 11, for Valcin to provide the court with proof that she has purchased an airline ticket. The 26-year-old was remanded in custody until then.

- T.T.