A Trinidadian hairdresser was hospitalised after being doused with acid by two women who attacked her. The incident stemmed from the 21-year-old hairstylist allegedly socialising with the male associates of the attackers.
The vicious attack occurred after the victim, identified as Jessie James, was booked for a hair appointment by one of the women, according to a report. James’ aunt, Galia Noel, shared the details of the incident with Guardian Media. As per the aunt’s accounts, James the woman made the appointment to have her hair styled in Belmont, northeast Port of Spain.
According to the report, James went to meet the woman for the appointment on Wednesday, but she was met by another female. The female reportedly identified herself as a relative of the individual who made the appointment.
Afterwards, the alleged relative led James to a track where the other woman waited, and they confronted her. A dispute unfolded as they accused her of speaking with men they knew. The pair doused James with two cups of an unknown liquid and fled the scene, per the report.
James was at the scene screaming for help until two other women found her and took her to Port-of-Spain General Hospital. James received treatment for chemical burns at the hospital. It is unclear if she has been released or remains at the hospital.
According to the aunt, James’s eye, lip, and parts of her face were affected by the acid. “Her two eyes are bruised on the outside, she can’t open it for too long, but when she does you can see how the eyes are bulging, they are both very red. She can see in one eye but it’s a bit fuzzy, but she can’t see through the other one at all,” Noel told Guardian Media.
Her aunt described her as a “gentle, soft soul” and was choked up about the incident. Noel expressed that her niece did not deserve to be attacked that way. She also expressed her disappointment that women would do such a thing to another woman.
She added that they could have had a “civilised conversation” with James even if the accusations were true rather than attack her. The matter is now in the hands of the police, as Noel shared that she spoke to the authorities on Thursday.