The Free National Movement's (FNM) Grand Bahama Women's Association is raising money for the mother of three who was sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting the principal of Jack Hayward High School.

April Crowther, president of the association, said the donations will go towards Latoya Denise Williams' court fines and the upkeep of her young children.

All of Williams' children are under 18 years old and two are still in school. Williams, 34, was arrested at the high school after the incident last week Tuesday.

She was arraigned and sentenced that same week.

During her sentencing, Williams was warned that she would face another six months in prison if she did not pay the $884 the court ordered that she pay to school principal Yvonne Ward.

The sum is to compensate Ward for a pair of broken glasses and punitive damages.

Crowther said Williams has been a member of the FNM's Women's Association for more than a year. She added that the call for donations is not politically motivated and stressed that the organization did not condone the assault on Ward.

"We are doing it because she is unemployed," Crowther said.

"The fines have to be paid in order for her sentence to be less. She has three dependants that she has left behind in Freeport and we are assisting them with groceries and checking on them."

The group has started a "compassion fund" asking for check and grocery donations. Crowther said Williams is unemployed and had problems paying her court-ordered fines.

She added that the group would not turn its back on a member because "she made a mistake." "What do we do, do we just close our eyes?

Do we have the lights going off and [her] children going hungry?"

Crowther told The Guardian that the response from the community has been positive and people from all political persuasions are helping.

She said that so far, the association has raised enough money to pay the first month's rent where the children are staying.

The association is also raising money to pay the utilities there, according to Crowther. She also said the Department of Social Services is assisting the two younger children with getting back to school, and is also helping with food vouchers.

She said the association is committed to helping Williams and her children for the next six months.

Crowther said the victim of the attack is a "phenomenal" and "fantastic" woman, and said the FNM does not condone the assault.

"Ms. Ward is one of the best educators we have in Grand Bahama," Crowther said.

"Her contribution to Grand Bahama is so valuable and something like this should not have happened to a person like [her]."

Crowley said the association has also gotten several pledges for donations for Williams and her children. When contacted for comment yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts said he saw nothing wrong with the group's actions.

"I don't think its inappropriate," Roberts said.

"When it comes to helping children, nobody can have any problem with that."

The assault occurred in the principals's officer after Williams, the mother of a 2013 graduate of the school, was allowed on the campus to see officials about her daughter's transcript.

In court last week Williams admitted to causing harm to Ward, disorderly behavior, causing damage to the principal's eyeglasses and resisting arrest.

During the hearing, the court also heard that the principal was left with a swollen left eye and bruised left arm.

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