Couple denies engaging in illegal Cash Pot

A couple is proclaiming their innocence after a friend was caught with illegal gambling documents at their home.

Peter Ferguson, and his common-law wife Colleen Black were charged for aiding and abetting and illegal bookmaking after Ferguson's friend, Paul Gray, was caught with a Cash Pot book and over $300,000 by a team of police personnel and members of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission's enforcement team.

He pleaded guilty to illegal bookmaking when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Ferguson and Black pleaded guilty with explanation to both charges when they were first pleaded by the court clerk, but explained that Gray was only visiting their home and that they had nothing to with his business.

Took full responsibility

"Your honour, I only came here to answer to the charge of aiding and abetting. I didn't realise that they were saying that I was in the business," Ferguson explained. "My spouse and I don't have anything to do with any illegal bookmaking."

Gray then took full responsibility for the incident that took place on November 19.

But presiding judge, Simone Wolfe-Reece, reminded Ferguson that she had explained to him while he was pleading that if his friend was carrying out an illegal activity at his house, he was not guilty of that crime.

"I explained it to you and even gave you an example and you said guilty," Wolfe-Reece said. Ferguson asked the judge to take back the plea.

But Wolfe-Reece said that she will think about it before handing down the sentencing on January 3.