A man, who appeared before the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate Court on charges of obtaining money by false pretense, was remanded into custody until his living address could be verified.
The man charged is Michael Clarke of Runaway Bay, St. Ann.
The court heard that Clarke told the complainant of the availability of jobs in Cayman Islands and assured him he could secure him a job. Further discussions continued and the complainant paid Clarke thirty-eight thousand Jamaican dollars ($38,000). However, the complainant did not hear from Clarke following this transaction. On Wednesday, August 20, the complainant saw the accused man, Clarke in St. Ann’s Bay. An argument developed between both and the matter was taken to the St. Ann’s Bay police where Clarke was later arrested and charged.
Was sick in the hospital
The accused man, Clarke explained to presiding resident magistrate Vaughn Facey that the amount in question was $28,000 and he had intended to secure the job for the complainant in Cayman Islands, but he took ill. “Your Honor, I was sick in the hospital over there for about nine months. I returned to Jamaica to receive treatment at the University Hospital, because I have cancer. A just one day me in St. Ann’s Bay and me see the gentleman since then,” Clarke explained.
“Did you try to get a number for the man and let him know what was wrong with you?” Enquired RM Facey.“Was sick and never had his number,” replied the accused man.
“So why when you saw him you never gave him the money you took away from him seeing that you didn’t get a job for the man?” Asked RM Facey.
“I was going to do that, but he drew a knife on me and him sey him want settle it wit di police. Me neva did ago mek him stab me,” the accused explained to the magistrate.
This allegation was substantiated by the clerk of court who explained that the complainant had in fact pulled a knife at Clarke when he saw him in St. Ann’s Bay. Both then went to the police station.
It was revealed that Clarke was offered station bail, however the police needed to verify his living address in Runaway Bay, where he said he was from.
The accused man was remanded into custody until the police could confirm his living address.
