By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was fined in court after admitting to fraudulently obtaining $3,000 by claiming to be a bail bondsman.
Antwan Sands, 50, represented by Alex Dorsett, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of fraud by false pretences.
On October 21, Sands obtained $3,000 cash from D’Haska Gilcud after he promised to pay the bail for her brother’s charge of attempted murder. The complainant realised she had been deceived as her brother’s bail was never posted and it was later revealed Sands could not act as a bondsman because of a prior conviction.
Although Sands initially pleaded not guilty, after he learned that bail would be withheld due to prior convictions of a similar nature, he changed his plea to guilty.
During his plea of mitigation, Mr Dorsett said his client is gainfully employed and acknowledged he had a prior conviction for attempted fraud. The attorney went on to say the defendant is remorseful and in view of his early plea of guilt asked that the court be lenient and not impose a custodial sentence.
Magistrate Kelly pointed out the accused was on bail for another offence of a similar nature when this matter arose. She ordered him to fully compensate the complainant as well as pay a $3,000 fine.
In addition to being expected to pay $700 before his release, should Sands be found in default of these conditions he faces an eight-month prison sentence. Sands is expected to return to court on January 20, 2023.
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