Man accused of trying to buy phone with counterfeit notes

A vendor who was caught attempting to purchase a phone with over $30,000 worth of counterfeit notes had his bail extended when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Alphonso Hines, 24, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of possession of counterfeit notes after he was held with seven $5,000 notes.

The court heard that on February 2, the police, acting on information, went to a location on Half-Way Tree Road where they held the accused man who was about to purchase a cell phone with the counterfeit notes. He was arrested and charged.

Hines's attorney told the court that his client is a clothes vendor in downtown Kingston and he received the money from a customer who made a purchase that day.

Hines broke down in tears in court saying, "I just got the money and went to buy the phone for my babymother. I didn't know the money wasn't good."

He is to return to court on March 16 when an outstanding statement in the case is expected to be ready.