Guernsey woman fined £700 for "obnoxiously laughing" during Barbie film

Tuesday 12 September 2023

A woman who was “obnoxiously laughing” and swore at others when told to be quiet during a screening of the 'Barbie' film in Guernsey's Mallard Cinema has been fined £700 for disorderly behaviour.

Lina Frimate, who pleaded guilty to the charge, attended the cinema on 9 August to watch the blockbuster film with a friend when she “spoke loudly” and “ignored requests to be quiet”, Prosecuting Advocate Phoebe Cobb told the Magistrate’s Court.

The 34-year-old became increasingly animated and swore at other patrons, causing people to struggle to hear the film and upsetting "younger members of the audience".

The film was paused and Frimate was asked to leave the cinema, which she did after initially refusing.

Police met her outside and found her to be intoxicated. She later told them at interview she had not eaten that day, had consumed a large glass of wine, and was "tipsy" and in an "excitable mood". She denied swearing.

Duty Advocate Paul Lockwood, defending, said it was Frimates' first court appearance and offered apologies for the actions.

She admitted being "raucous, excitable, and voluble", and was "embarrassed to ruin other patrons' day out", he added.

Judge Gary Perry, sentencing, accepted that the Court's time had not been wasted by the early guilty plea but criticised the "selfish behaviour which this court is seeing all too often".

He said Frimate needed to take account "of the needs of others" as he handed her a £700 fine as an alternative to 34 days in prison.