Socialite Jasmine Hartin was fined £30,000 last night for killing a Belizean police chief with his own gun.
Hartin, 33, initially denied responsibility for the death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott, but pleaded guilty to negligent homicide at a hearing in April.
She was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service yesterday at the Supreme Court in Belize City and told to record a video teaching others about the dangers of “drinking and making foolish decisions.”
Andrew’s estranged partner, Lord Ashcroft’s son, had previously maintained the officer’s death was a “terrible accident”.
Mr Jemmott was killed by a gunshot to the head while he and Hartin drank together late at night on a pier in 2021, near Mr Ashcroft’s luxury hotel on the island of Ambergris Caye.
Jasmine Hartin, 33, leaves the Supreme Court after sentencing on her negligent homicide charge begins at the Belize City Supreme Court
Socialite Jasmine Hartin was fined £30,000 last night for killing a Belizean police chief with his own gun
Socialite Jasmine Hartin has evaded jail and was fined £30,000 after she killed a Belizean police chief with his own gun
Hartin, 33, initially denied responsibility for the death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott (pictured with sister Cherry), but pleaded guilty to negligent homicide at a hearing in April
Hartin claimed that Mr. Jemmott offered to teach her how to use his Glock-17 pistol to protect her.
She cried in court as she entered a guilty plea to negligent homicide at the last minute before her trial.
Mr Jemmott’s widow, Romit Wilson, 39, criticized Hartin’s conduct during the trial, accusing the socialite of running an ‘international PR campaign’.
Mrs Wilson, who had three children with Mr Jemmott, broke her silence to tell the Daily Mail that Hartin had wanted to portray herself as a victim.
She previously told this newspaper: “I have not given interviews to media houses since the day Henry was killed.
“I’ve focused on our kids, taking care of them and coping with our grief. I know they say grief comes in waves, but ours has been constant.
“My children and I have had to endure Mrs. Hartin telling interview after interview, even in full length documentaries, details of that horrible night, details of her friendship with Henry, and even details of my relationship with Henry.
“She said she pleaded guilty to not put us through the pain of a trial. I wish she had thought of that for her international PR campaign as well.’
The Jemmott family’s attorney, Leslie Mendez, also criticized Hartin for trying to “create uncertainty” about her plea. Ms. Mendez said, “You cannot doubt the correctness of your IOU while insisting that you want the family to be at peace and healed.
“It is reprehensible to inject uncertainty into the public discourse and heads of his family when they want truth and justice.”
There will be a civil case before the courts in Belize to close the criminal proceedings against Hartin.
While awaiting trial on bail, Hartin gave several interviews in print and on camera. She was also featured in the documentary One Bullet in Belize on the American streaming service Discovery+.
Hartin has detailed how she “accidentally” shot the officer while they were enjoying drinks late at night. She said she crawled out from under the heavyset officer and was covered in blood.
Hartin, 33, initially denied responsibility for the death of Chief Inspector Henry Jemmott but pleaded guilty to negligent homicide at a hearing in April
Her former partner Andrew Ashcroft has said Hartin was “very drunk” the night of the incident.
Mr Ashcroft’s claims contradicted Hartin’s claim that she had had only a few drinks and was not drunk the night Mr Jemmott was killed.
The couple separated shortly after the incident and have been embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their twin children ever since.
Ashcroft, 45, said in his statement that they attended a party at the Sunset Lounge on May 28, 2021 until about 11 p.m.
He said, “Jasmine had been drinking heavily and had started consuming alcohol while getting ready to attend the party and continued to do so at the party.”
Mr Ashcroft said that after the couple got back to the hotel, Hartin asked him to join her for a drink with Mr Jemmott, who was staying at the resort.
“Jasmine seemed very drunk at the time,” he added, saying he declined and offering to stay with the kids before going to bed.
The father described the moment he was awakened by staff to be notified of the shooting at 1am.
“I saw Jasmine standing in front of Mata Rocks Pier about 100 feet away, covered in blood.”
Hartin has denied the claims that she was drunk.
