DEAD MAN'S BUS CARD USED FOR CHEAP FARE

A man was hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Court yesterday after he was caught using his dead grandfather's Smarter Card on a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus.

Oral Mills pleaded not guilty to the charge of obtaining money by means of false pretense. He was also charged for conspiracy to defraud, but that charge was later dismissed.

The court heard that on November 11, Mills used his dead grandfather's Smarter Card on a JUTC bus to receive a concession fare of $40 instead of the $120 which he is required to pay.

The accused explained that his grandfather had died approximately one week before he was caught using the card. He also pointed out that he was not the only one in his family who used the card.

The presiding judge, Senior RM Judith Pusey questioned the strength of the charge laid against the man. "In this case, isn't the Smarter Card just like a cell phone? If I lend my twin sister my card to use the bus, will she be charged for obtaining by means of false pretense?" she questioned.

Pusey contemplated on the case and noted that the man's actions seem to amount to larceny because he was travelling on the bus at a reduced cost.

He is to be tried on January 27. His bail was extended.