May 5, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
LATEST NEWS THE COURTS

Man’s identity stolen and papers presented to court as someone else

The St Ann Court now has before it a case in which it appears a man’s identity was stolen and his documents presented at the court’s office.

A land title and a driver’s licence in the name of Lloyd Valentine were presented to court but the person claiming to be Valentine was apparently someone else.

The man accused of the crime is Donovan DaCosta who was brought back before the St Ann Parish Court on Tuesday, September 20.

Allegations are that on Monday, September 12, DaCosta went to the courts office at the St Ann’s Bay court house and submitted a land title bearing the name Lloyd Valentine. He also had photographs bearing the name and they were certified by a St Catherine justice of the peace. Why the papers were presented was not stated.

Further checks also revealed that that on a Form 2 document, the said JP recommended the accused man under the name Lloyd Valentine. The JP’s seal was placed on the document on September 9, 2016.

There was also a declaration signed in the presence of the JP.

When the matter was brought before the courts on Friday, September 16, senior parish judge Andrea Thomas had instructed the officer to determine how the land title in the name of Lloyd Valentine was acquired by DaCosta.

The driver’s licence issued in the name Lloyd Valentine was forged, but further checks were to be made.

When the matter came before Judge Thomas last Tuesday, the crown prosecutor explained that she was objecting to bail as DaCosta’s address was not yet verified.

However, on the accused man’s identification card, an address in Kingston was evident.

However, the investigating officer indicated to the judge that the accused name was Donovan DaCosta and early checks had revealed that DaCosta had a conviction.

Judge Thomas said that it was established that the driver’s licensc was forged.

When the judge asked the investigating officer if he had determined, who was Lloyd Valentine, the officer explained that early investigations had inicated Valentine was an elderly gentleman. However, they were still trying to locate him.

Judge Thomas told the prosecution that they must check to determine if anyone in other parishes by that name (Lloyd Valentine) had bailed anyone on previous occasions. She also asked for checks to be made if there was surety by that name.

DaCosta was remanded into custody until October 12.

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