Lawyer repays $150,000 on client's behalf

• Lawyer repays $150,000 on client's behalf

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A Montego Bay man accused of defrauding $250,000 for the purchase of a motor car had his lawyer repay the money on his behalf in court on Monday.

Sheldon Headley, who is answering fraudulent conversion charges, was absent when his case was called up in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

As a result, his matter was set for mention on September 4.

The court was told that Headley had offered to sell a Mercedes motor car to Jerry Jackson for J$1.4 million. To that end, Jackson paid Headley a $250,000 deposit, but did not get the car.

Headley then repaid $100,000 of the money, but Jackson's efforts to contact the accused man for the balance were futile. Jackson subsequently filed a report to the police, and the accused man was later arrested and charged.

Headley's attorney, Martyn Thomas, told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small that his client would not be appearing in court as he was in Kingston on a job interview.

However, the lawyer indicated that the balance of $150,000 was available for Jackson to be repaid. The money was subsequently handed over and confirmed to be the correct amount.

The case will be mentioned again on September 4 to allow for Headley to be present when his matter will be decided by the court.

• Wounding charges on St James man dismissed

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James cabinetmaker who cut his child's mother on her neck during a fight, had his charge dismissed in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday following counselling sessions.

Clinton Haughton, a 27-year-old resident of Norwood, was charged with unlawful wounding against Nickiesha Lawrence.

Lawrence is also before the court on two counts of assault at common law against Haughton and a second complainant, Sashanna Murray.

Haughton and Lawrence were referred to counselling when they last appeared in court on May 29.

On May 5, the two were involved in an argument that escalated into a brawl. During the struggle, Haughton used a knife to cut Lawrence on the back of her neck.

Charles Sinclair, Haughton's lawyer, had previously argued that his client was defending himself when Lawrence attacked him after she assaulted Murray, who is said to be another girlfriend of Haughton's.

In court on Monday, Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small was informed that Haughton and Lawrence's joint counselling sessions had been successful.

Consequently, a no-order motion was made to dismiss the couple's charges against each other.

"The matter between Lawrence and Murray seems to be outstanding. Maybe the best thing is to see if we can find Murray, but Haughton will not have to be back here for that," said attorney Charles Sinclair, who pointed out that the matter needed resolution.

Lawrence's matter with Murray was subsequently set for mention on September 18, and she and Haughton left the courtroom peacefully.