THE mother and stepfather of the woman who made allegations against both Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife yesterday begged a Port of Spain magistrate to send the woman for psychiatric evaluation.

Stephen Joefield and his wife, Charmaine, both called on Magistrate Christine Charles to have the matter dealt with expeditiously, in the hope their relative, Natasha Cumberbatch, could get help.

Cumberbatch shot to fame after she brought charges against PM Manning and Local Government Minister Hazel Manning, accusing them and other people of using annoying and violent language that would cause Cumberbatch to breach the peace.

Cumberbatch also accused her stepfather and mother of using annoying language towards her on May 10 at McCarthy Street, San Juan. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge while all parties involved said they would be representing themselves.

When the matter was called yesterday, Magistrate Charles asked both sides whether they would prefer to have the matter dealt with via mediation. Cumberbatch’s mother and step-father agreed and after some explanation, Cumberbatch did as well.

After the matter was stood down for a few minutes, it was recalled and Cumberbatch said she had changed her mind because her parents were lying, noting that up until yesterday, they were using annoying language towards her.

’This child needs help. I am pleading with you to send her to seek help,’ Cumberbatch’s mother told Charles.

In response, Charles said she could not deal with that, and after the plea for help was endorsed by Joefield’s husband, Charles asked Cumberbatch if she was in need of help. Cumberbatch replied no and called on Charles to warn both defendants about continuing to use annoying language towards her at all hours during the day and night.

Charles adjourned the matter to March 4, 2010, after she conceded to a request made by Cumberbatch’s step-father, who said they would be calling two witnesses in their defence, to have the matter dealt with as soon as possible. Charles had previously adjourned the matter to April 15, 2010.