Court Hears of Freeman Street Family Dispute That Erupted into Hot Water Attack

October 8 2025

A family dispute that erupted into a violent confrontation at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, has landed three women—a mother, daughter, and daughter-in-law—before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on multiple assault and damage to property charges.

Twenty-four-year-old Amaya Haywood, her mother-in-law Alicia Melville, and 19-year-old sister-in-law Congalisa DeSantos appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, where they all pleaded not guilty to the respective charges.

Haywood is accused of unlawfully wounding and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Melville. She had been on station bail prior to the hearing.

DeSantos, meanwhile, is charged with damaging household items, including a refrigerator valued at $75,000 and other belongings totaling $452,000.

She was also jointly charged with her mother, Melville, for unlawfully assaulting Haywood with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

During her submissions, Haywood’s attorney, Stacy Goodings, told the court that her client had endured long-term verbal and physical abuse from her in-laws.

She said the incident unfolded after Haywood went to visit a neighbour and was allegedly confronted and cursed by Melville.

According to Goodings, Melville later entered Haywood’s home and began verbally abusing her before attacking her physically.

The attorney claimed Melville lashed Haywood across the head, knocking her to the ground. Each time Haywood tried to get up, she was struck again, sustaining injuries to her leg, forehead, and the back of her head.

In what Goodings described as a desperate act of self-defence, Haywood grabbed a pot of hot water from the fire. The scalding liquid splashed onto Melville, burning Haywood’s own hands in the process.

Goodings told the court that Melville chased her client from the house, dragging her by her hair. “Your worship, my client’s hair is missing,” she said, adding that DeSantos allegedly joined in the attack, pinning Haywood’s neck to the ground with a spade.

A relative reportedly intervened to stop the fight.

As Haywood attempted to leave for the police station, her brother-in-law—the son of Melville—allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and hurled a concrete block at her car, smashing the glass, before riding the motorcycle onto the back of the vehicle, causing further damage.

Haywood later made a report to the police, and an investigation is said to be underway into the actions of Melville’s son and other relatives.

Goodings also claimed that when Haywood and her partner, Shawn DeSantos, returned home later that day, they found their house destroyed by fire.

Representing Melville and Congalisa, attorney Kiswana Jefford told the court that her clients have a completely different version of events, which will be presented at trial.

She said she was informed that a video recording of the incident exists and that Haywood had allegedly threatened the family days before the altercation.

Jefford also stated that the property where Haywood lived with her partner belonged to Melville.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate McGusty granted bail to all three women.

Haywood was released on $250,000, Melville on $75,000, and DeSantos on $150,000 for the assault and damage to property charges.

The matter was adjourned until October 17 for report and fixture.