700 Sign Petition In Support Of Natalie Simpson
An online petition has surfaced in support of Natalie Simpson, the 25-year-old woman who was sentenced to two years in prison last month for an assault that took place at a New Year’s Eve party in Hamilton on January 1, 2014.
Asking “where is the consistency in the Bermuda Judicial system,” the petition — which has over 700 signatures — asks people to sign it if they “believe the sentence was unfair.”
Following the incident, a police spokesperson said, “The victim states that she was at Pier 6 at a New Year’s celebration when an unknown female walked up to her asking her “why are you talking to him.” The suspect then assaulted the woman. This resulted in the victim being taken to the hospital where she required facial surgery.”
The unknown woman was later identified as Ms. Simpson, who was officially charged with the crime on January 9, 2014. The British national — who was employed as a beauty therapist – plead guilty in March.
File photo of Ms. Simpson being escorted from court following her sentencing
The petition says, “On the 27th of May 2014, Natalie Simpson was convicted of unlawfully wounding another female in Bermuda. At all times Natalie has been honest about the crime and respected the judicial system but was sentenced to four years, reduced to two years, for her guilty plea and no previous record.
“She also had a full social inquiry into her character and this resulted in them recommending a probation period with a custodial sentence having no benefit for Bermuda or Natalie, she is of good character and is classed as the lowest risk of re-offending. Never before has an individual received a four year sentence for such a crime with the judge even stating she would set an example of her.
“Natalie is a 25-year-old lady who has been in Bermuda for five years, she has never been in trouble and has been an honest hard working resident for the whole time.
“Yes she made a mistake but this sentence means she will have to serve a minimum of 16 months for an incident for which she is wholly sorry for, the reason being ex pats are not eligible for parole in Bermuda because their work permits are revoked.
“Please sign this petition if you believe the sentence was unfair considering her honesty, no previous criminal record or arrests and current criminal cases in Bermuda, for example a young man in Bermuda was recently sentenced to 6 years for manslaughter whilst wielding a knife, where is the consistency in the Bermuda Judicial system.”
Not everyone agrees with the petition’s premise, with some comments left supporting the sentence. “Sorry but I agree with the sentence…violence is violence cannot be tolerated in a civil society,” said one comment.
The 700 plus signatures appear to mostly be generated from people overseas, with signers identifying themselves as from nations including Bermuda, Italy, Canada, Australia with a large amount of signers listing themselves as being from the United Kingdom.
The petition has also attracted some 1,000 Facebook “likes”.
so she slashed an innocent victim causing permanent damage….and 700 people think her sentence is unwarranted….shameful
I agree this is a lawful conviction… it would have been nice if they deported her rather than tax payers paying 2 years of imprisonment.
It is amazing that all white people come together on this and if she was black no one would care and there would be no petition. And they say racism doesn’t exist in Bermuda yeah right. And I am not black I am a Portuguese Bermudian.
I agree, and I’m white! there goes your theory
ALL
whaaaaa????
Guy blind sides another guy in Docksider knocks two teeth out then gets off with conditional discharge , in another inceddnt in town two guys kick the hell out of defenceless guy breaking his eye socket ….get off conditional discharge. I think race influences all of these decisions
She should be discharged on the grounds the judges are incompetent.
A glassing is considered more serious. Basically like knifing a person. But yes, looks like she may be held to a different standard.
the dock-sider incident involved 2 white guys, I think both expats. the other incident was black on black I believe….race had no part in these cases….actually expats get preferential treatment more often….anyone remember the drunken air-conditioning technician that crashed his company van into another vehicle killing one and severely injuring another? what about the little girl that was run over whilst on the cross walk?
Wrong the other incident was a police officers family member and a white guy.
You need to know your fact in order to make a true judgement. This seems to bd a problem of epidemic proportion here on dd rock. Lol. I look thing up before I talk or write.
Ok the reason I use terms like ‘I believe’ and ‘I think’ is to ensure people like you that respond ‘embarrass’ yourselves. The 2nd incident I’m referring to may not be the same incident you are familiar with. As no case number, names, etc are being referenced, its likely we are not talking about the same case. So your sarcastic correction is unnecessary.
the guy that got blindsided in Docksiders is actually Bermudian. The guy who hit him was an expat.
Drunk white boy kills black man by swizzle inn fleas back hone…..no jail time…she just a crazy chick.c
Sad that people from around the world would support this women after a vicious assault. Do you think she shouldnt be jailed at all. I bet this support for her is mainly because she is a ex-pat worker and a white women. If a Bermudian had done this to her, I doubt she would get all this world wide support..sad sad
You say, “If a Bermudian had done this to her…” Are you talking about a black Bermudian or a white Bermudian… or any Bermudian?
Well he did say “Bermudian” & made no distinction based via race in his scenario. Why is it you feel the need to differentiate based on the hypothetical individuals race?
White bermudians arent really bermudians remember?
Women plural woman means one……
Are you people serious seriously you have to be joking can’t believe the way y’all are thinking SMDH
“The 700 plus signatures appear to mostly be generated from people overseas, with signers identifying themselves as from nations including Bermuda, Italy, Canada, Australia with a large amount of signers listing themselves as being from the United Kingdom”
Soooo basically irrelevant.
She will be out in a few months on good behavior and her victim has a scar for life.
And she will more than likely offend again…
I believe that Expats should be able to buy their way out of a prison term or should be fined an amount at least equivalent to the cost of incarceration in Bermuda.
This could then be paid to their victims and would also save the bermuda taxpayers the cost of incarcerating them…
so out of those 700 did any of them decide to collect cash from each person to help the victim in this case……or did people just sign cause she looks cute….or did people sign because she is white and the black girl deserved having a bottle smashed in her face…..or is it that 700 people are racist ……..thats what I thought
but thats none of my business
Actually the victim was a white female.
Racist much?
#idiot
The issue here is really the fact that expats can’t qualify for parole. That I will sign a petition for. This is a serious “glassing” assault. Facial scarring could be permanent.
It is where we live…some existance ennit?
Now you know how it feels!
No it’s not unfair … She dinks she d s** and has done,,….f*** dat ***….
So …when you hear we are blessed …you realise it is not inclusivity of which dey speak….
My goodness …not your goodness….s’like assuming faith hope and charity actually exist….are you kidding?
Good thing I was not the Magistrate.
She would have gotten the maximum.
The offence and malice overrides color, ethnicity et al.
Do your time and get your passport stamped as you leave.
Shalom.
She cuts someone and wants to get released?? Let my African American self cut someone. They’ll put me away for 10 years!! Time for the Whites to see how we feel about this juridical system!!!
When did/will you get 10 years, what is this number based on ? Are you in a gang ? Where did/will you commit your crime ? Increased penalty zone?
Or ar you just chest thumping ?
Illiterate much?
I take it 19 “Caucasians” didn’t like this !
Are you African American or a Black Bermudian? Or maybe you have dual citizenship?
Michael Smith, actually your “African American” self is dead wrong.
In Bermuda you can deliberately stab someone, killing them, and you get 6 years in jail.
So why don’t you think about that before you “tell the Whites how you feel about the judicial system”.
The arguement is the consistancy of sentenceing.expat or local should recieve the same sentence regaurdless of race as well.unfortuantely only in bda can u get two people get two different sentnces for commiting the offence.they should adapt the uk policy when it comes to sentenceing.
Recently a poor man lost his leg due to Llewelyn Tacklin driving under the….. He got a $2000 fine. The sentencing in Bermuda is not consistent with anything.
In Court…..YOU and all those that “liked” your comment might want to get your FACTS RIGHT….Mr. Llewelyn TACKLYN (correct spelling)was NOT under the influence…..and in his case it was an accident….not INTENTIONAL as in the case above…..She deserves what she got and more…IF she was in the States she would have gotten a much longer sentence than what she is currently serving….People make me laugh…would you all be defending her sentence IF it was YOU that she had slashed….Give me a break……#dontdothecrimeifyoucantdothetime…
Send her a** back home!!!!!!
St David’s I agree! After she’s done her time!!
Let’s call this what it is, she’s young and white so all her trashy little friends want her sentence reduced and all those who fall for the “poor sweet angelic white girl doesn’t deserve this” also signed it. She is where she deserves to be! Keep her locked up! Most of the signatures are from overseas? Then who cares! They have no voice.
No ‘poor sweet angelic’ girl of any colour would have done this. She sould do her time – case closed.
she should have got more dam time
Amen Frank!!
Hey…its hard to find a good hairstylist, ya’ll. Imma sign that petition.
Smh n Lol! I think 18 people missed your sarcasm.
She’s not a hair stylist! She doesn’t do hair!
What’s sad is this woman, glassed an woman innocent woman in the face and knowingly,` then got on a plane and went on a pre-planned vacation then came back and turned herself in.
The victim now has to walk around with a nasty scar going down the center of her chin.
If you ask me 2 years is not enough, got what she deserved. We are looking it from the perspective of the the accused/culprit. No one is looking at it from the perspective of the victim.
There are many individuals who go to jail daily in this country for assult on an individual with no fanfare or petitions. For people to isolate two cases were manifestly unjust sentences were handed out is simply sad.
Before people sign any petition they should ask themself a question what would they want done if it were them or their loved one that was attacked and perminantly scared for life. RACE should not and can not be an issue. anyone who introduces race is an idiot. Both women were white….. the sentences guidlines were the back drop and the judge used the latitude of the law to convict.
it should have been u – You have given a good statement. I agree 100%. She should serve all her time and be deported straight from jail. Violence is violence and colour or race should not be factored in. Any monies she had should be given to the victim.
I don’t care how many people signed the petition, she did fiscal harm to this lady and has left her scarred for life. She should have been sentence to the maximum. For talking to her boyfriend she slashes this lady’s face. Can you imagine what she would do if she caught someone having an affair with her boyfriend. She did the crime so do the time. And after her two years served, walk her right on that BA flight and stamp her passport with Lunatic.
Dear Natalie,
I support your anger management through sewing courses, so you can think about your victim’s stitches during your two year extended vacation with us. Welcome to Bermuda, So Much More!
Too many people attempting to equate this case to some others when it is likely that although they may be similar they are not the same. The details of each case are different and thus the sentences are often different. All the facts of a case are NEVER in the media so second guessing the judge really has no merit! Thats why they have lawyers to deal with appealing sentences!
Lock her a@# up !!!!
Well said!!! Robert!!
Right on Robert!
I fully supported the conviction this woman for a completely unprovoked and vicious attack on an innocent woman. Have said it before and will say it again that the defense lawyer offered not even a hint of provocation although a few of the culprits tried to imply it in comment on Bernews after her conviction.
Having said that, I do believe that the sentence was somewhat excessive based on the sentence handed out to other culprits who committed unprovoked a vicious attacks on innocent victims in bars. The case of the expat male who attacked an innocent victim in Docksiders is one such example.
Each case of criminal assault is different, and the Magistrate’s and Supreme Court must always be free to decide on the sentence, but I see little point in locking this woman up for 2years at our expense. I have not signed the petition but. If I was the magistrate I would probably have given her 6-12 months and ordered her removal from the Island on completion of sentence.
In the Docksiders case was a weapon used? Like a knife or broken glass? Her sentence is higher because she used a weapon to do intentional harm to her victim.
You fully supported her conviction………… and then you started shlipping ana shwitchin ana shlackin backshlidin.
She needs to do the time and go back to her country! I couldnt do that in her country without getting time and deportation.
When you read all the case information carefully I think you will all, as have I, come to the conclusion that this young lady meant to throw her drink in the victims face. She probably misjudged the distance due to being intoxicated and the rest is history. Smashing a glass or bottle in someones face deliberately is wholly different and caries a more serious intent. I don’t know why this wasn’t seen. Still throwing your drink at someone is assault and deserves punishment but not the same as someone who punches and kicks her love rival in the middle of town. Their is massive inconsistency in our lower court judgements – fact.
What you ‘mean’ to do and what really happens are different, I hope you know that?
If I buy a knife and wait outside your workplace and stab you as soon as I see you that is murder with intent.
If I meet you outside your workplace, start a conversation and an argument which leads to a scuffle ensues in which I grab a nearby weapon for defense and accidentally injure or kill you this would be viewed differently yes?
My point being that – intent – which must be adjudged during a trial is a significant factor in practically every assault.
I see reckless endangerment in this case – not intent to cause GBH.
Her sentence is for what she did, not for what she didn’t do. Please kill the mantra that she’s being punished for an intention she didn’t have. She threw am object with such force that her victim required surgery. That makes your version pretty hard to believe when throwing a drink does not require that force. Besides, alcohol can damage the eyes. She could have blinded her victim. Her four year sentence was reduced to half already so you’re really squeezing squeezing the udder here.
So your logic is, if a person is drunk & commits a crime it should be forgiven & only given a slap on the wrist? No matter if she was drunk or not, her intention was that of an assault. The resulting injuries may not of been her intent but none the less those injuries are what the victim has to deal with for the rest of her life. If you’re drunk or not you’re still responsible for your actions, otherwise there would be no such law as D.U.I.
see above
She didn’t throw her drink, I had a family member working behind the bar that night and they cleaned up all the blood. Considering they were probably one of the few sober people there I’ll take their word on it. There was no glass near the blood, if she had thrown her glass at the other girl and her face was cut because the glass shattered, why wasn’t any around?
The action of throwing the CONTENTS of a glass at someones’ face who is at relatively close range entail thrusting ones arm forward and maintaining a grip on the glass stem. If impaired/poor depth perception means your ability to judge the necessary stopping distance is off – well we know the rest.
In any case the SIR would have flagged any similar previous behavior and made a strong case for intent – I don’t believe it did
The outcome and the victims injuries are the very real thing here – lives altered forever.
So again where is the broken glass? Your scenario is plausible but still there would be broken glass in that area with the blood. The glass had to have broken when it hit her to slash her face.
nice change seeing this
what if she was a ……. girl?
just wondering
Did anyone THINK about WHO she slashed may be the reason why she got a steep sentence. The victim works in a law firm and has easy access to lawyers
Not to mention her husband, exhusband is a cop
You’ve got to be kidding me.
How can a guest worker come to Bermuda and ask for leniency after they have slashed the face of another?
This is outrageous. After she has served her complete sentence without parole, she should be escorted to the next available flight back to the U.K. and placed on the stop list and banned from re-entering Bermuda for life. Visiting Bermuda is a privilege and she obviously has no regard for our rules or regulations or the well being of our citizens.
VERY WELL SAID Concern!! I didn’t cost the Bermudian taxpayer exorbitant amounts of money……. I’d say give her even MORE time!!!
“Slashed” is the true word. Lucky for her she was charged for glassing and not using a bladed weapon. Bladed weapon would have brought the minimum 3 years and probably more for an unprovoked attack. Sick that there are people petitioning for a more lenient sentence. Is there one to petition for more?
You are all pathetic! Welcome to the real world, I hope you never get there and if you do. Don’t call us!!!!!!
Lol #no idea
Please free Natalie!! I NEED MY EYEBROWS DONE!!
If she slashes your daughter’s face I will ask the same thing.
She can’t even do eyebrows properly because she messed up quite a few ppl’s eyebrows including mine!!!
Pathetic
700….Wow..there’s that Many English people here?
@ Y-Gurl…please read properly before commenting!!! The petition is from overseas not local!!!
Over 700 people that don’t have a clue about the legal system in Bermuda obviously don’t have a clue about the legal system in Bermuda. The wound to the victim was terrible. All these people should go in jail with this loose cannon of a woman and serve the time with her. Do the crime, serve the time.
I am sure her main goal is to get as much support as she can in order to prevent her deportation order.
Okay! I’ve never been convicted before.. Let me go kill someone tomorrow! I hope someone creates a petition to get me out of jail! Her sentence wasn’t fair? LIFE ISN’T FAIR! I don’t feel sorry for her! She did the crime, now she has to do the time! #SimpleAsThat
hmm!
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time..
I don’t feel sorry for Natalie . Bermuda needs change in the justice system . To many people get off. Those 700 people clearly are ignorant ,talking about (good hairdresser’s are hard to find and talking about eyebrows) people like that IGNORANT!!! They are not looking at it from the VICTIMS side and how she is left with facial damage because NATALIE thought she would be a BAD GIRL and cut someone’s face up !! You do the crime do the time! I don’t care If she does hair nails feet or eyebrows good, clearly she was not thinking of her CLIENTS when she cut that girl up! Smh sad. 4years is just the right amount of time. Make her think about what she done. How dare she come bermuda and act in such a way.After her time send her a** back home! If she worked at my salon I would be very mad.
It’s a common thing in the UK to start Petitions when someone is Locked Up Abroad (no pun intended)and to try and often succeed in getting local UK MP’s to bring Political Pressure via Westminster on the Country that has the person locked up.
In this case,in my opinion,she got off quite lightly and she should do her time and leave Bermuda.
don’t care about all the drivel. she was wrong, she did it she is guilty she needs to suffer the consequences which in my opinion are woefully inadequate. 20years maybe and i don’t care if she is whit or black Bermudian or expat.
This woman was not tried in Magistrates Court, but in the Supreme Court. There was a reason for that, let the bleeding hearts figure out why!
Prime example with bda sentenceing my first offence i was caught importing 8 ounces of weed at 18 years old and sentenced to 3 years.another jamacian man dat worked on a cruise boat who was sentenced b4 me got 18months in jail for 2pounds the same judge on the same day gave an american a $10000 dollar fine for importing over a kilo of coke..as i said there is no consitancy with sentenceing in bermuda
Why would expats want to live here??? If you are then go somewhere else, appalling behavior!!!!! No rights ? It’s just like gtb!!
I don’t see the problem here.
She viciously attacked someone without justification and severely injured them for a lifetime. She gets 2 years in prison……will probably get out before then for good behavior…….and the victim is scared for life.
I’m not interested in the color of her skin or what sentences were given in other cases.
In my opinion justice was served….end of story!
I believe that Expats should be able to buy their way out of a prison term or should be fined an amount at least equivalent to the cost of incarceration in Bermuda.
This could then be paid to their victims and would also save the bermuda taxpayers the cost of incarcerating them…
…..She deserves what she got and more…IF she was in the States she would have gotten a much longer sentence than what she is currently serving….People make me laugh…would you all be defending her sentence IF it was YOU that she had slashed….Give me a break……#dontdothecrimeifyoucantdothetime
God you people are ridiculous with your knee-jerk race-based assessments of EVERYTHING!
I agree with Joe blogs. Why not send her back to where she came from and ban her for life from Bermuda.
Maybe all crimes from now on should receive stiffer punishments.
Maybe she doesn’t want to be in Bermuda
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Sentence was too light for slashing someone.
Go soft on crime you get more crime,just look what happened with the Murders in Bermuda.
Her parents must be so proud. haha
I hope that she is sent packing back to the UK when her sentence is completed. What she did was very very nasty!!! The victim is scarred for life.
700 signing a petition for her release? What’s so special about this woman? Where are the petitions for other convicted criminals?
Someone has to care enough about them to start a prtition
In 2008 a local gal received 3 years for the same offense at Splash nightclub against another local gal. Sentence was deemed fair at that time (ie. no petition)
This hairdresser received a lighter sentence, maybe she should be happy about that fact. She will eventually get past this and go back to her regular life. Never having to tell anyone it happened, she can move on unscathed.
The woman that has to see the scar in the mirror everyday for the rest of her life, may not. She will have to explain to her children, grandchildren etc what happened to her. A reminder even when she is old and grey. How will she get past it?
Ask any woman who has been facially scarred how differently they are viewed. How their beauty has been compromised and that is evident everytime someone’s eyes goes to the scar instead of their eyes. I doubt they are not internally scarred as well.
Just for talking to a man at a bar. Something that is commonplace. Why should that warrant a lifelong sentence of disfigurement?
JustAskin2,
She is a white woman that’s what’s so special. I say this with a huge dose of sarcasm.
I could not do that anywhere in the world and get a free ticket from jail. The question is, are her bags packed.
The sentence was too much. Yes, she should be held accountable for what she did. The bottom line is that it was a stupid drunken fight, and the victim actually punched her first. Yes, Natalie started the argument verbally, but tell me if someone punches you in the face, your natural reaction is going to be punch back. Unfortunately she had a glass in her hand.
Again, she deserves to be held accountable for her actions… but two years is crazy when I read other sentences handed out for much worse crimes. Fights take two people, and this one definitely had two people partake. I don’t want to hear about the lifelong scar of the victim, she punched first so that’s what you get. It’s a life lesson for them both. They were both drunk and totally stupid. But two years is nuts.
Totally agree with the above.it takes two.they don’t know the facts,being fed info from the media,The so called victim is a lawyer!this was a case of who you know not what you know!natalie has had her first appeal turned down,by the same judge,how does that work.you don’t go back to the same Doctor for a second opinion.
This petition is about the length of the sentence based on similar previous cases in Bermuda, nothing to do with the actual crime, Natalie admitted she threw the glass from the first opportunity.