A St. Ann woman, who was charged for embezzlement after it was discovered she was taking money from her employers, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 6.
Sue-Ann Forbes is the woman charged for embezzlement before the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate Court. She was employed as a clerk at a fishermen’s cooperative society in the parish.
Forbes was accused of taking J$818,111 from the cooperative society between January 1, 2015 and March 22 of this year.
In court, an attorney who acted on Forbes’ behalf, explained to Resident Magistrate Peter Wilson that that his client borrowed the sum of money, because her boyfriend had found himself on rough times and she wanted to put some of the money in her business. According to the attorney, Forbes was hoping to make enough money to pay back the sum she took.
It was also heard that Forbes had repaid $83,000, and was to pay over another $74, 000, but was arrested.
The attorney went on to point out to RM Wilson that the woman was of humble means and she needed enough time to pay over the money she took from the company. After discussions with Forbes the attorney suggested six to seven months to repay the sum.
“I can’t set a matter for seven months for sentencing. The most that I can go up to is three months,” said RM Wilson in response. “The main fact is this is poor people money she took… The court is bending back to facilitate her paying back the people dem money. It doesn’t help anyone if she is locked up, because the people need their money,” said RM Peter Wilson, before offering her bail.
Forbes was later offered bail in the sum of $200,000 and is to report to the Bamboo Police Station on Mondays and Fridays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. A stop order was also put in place.
She is not to have any contact with the complainant or the cooperative society.Her sentencing was delayed until July 26 and a social enquiry report is to be done and her criminal records examined. In addition, on that date, she is to repay the money she took.
“Understand that you should come back with the people dem money,” RM Wilson pointed out sternly to Forbes.
