Sick man on fraud rap begs for bail

A 44-year-old man who spent time behind bars for fraud begged a senior parish judge to grant him bail on health reasons on Tuesday as he is accused of swindling four persons of $10 million.

Andre Dookie, who has been in custody since February 18, is charged with four counts of obtaining money by means of false pretence. The offences were allegedly committed between September 2020 and February of this year. He has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court argue that the modus operandi of the businessman is to swindle thousands of dollars from individuals under the guise that he can assist with the importation of motor vehicles, through a business he operated. In one instance, between September and December 2020, the complainant paid more than $7.5 million to the accused for the purchase of a 2015 silver Toyota Noah bus, a silver Toyota Hiace bus and two Toyota Wish motor cars. Three other complainants were present in court, who police investigators said paid over $546,000, $750,000 and $1 million for the importation of vehicles. To date, no vehicles have been received and no monies have been returned.

When he appeared before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague, Dookie, who was not represented in court, told the court that he has a contending health issue and would like to be offered bail.

"I want to return their money and I can. Last week I went to the doctor and I have severe hypertension. My pressure is 160 over 120 and I received a pill and it does not seem to be working. The condition that I am [in] is not helping the condition. It is not that it is bad, but the concrete [in the lock-up makes it hard]. I am asking graciously and in front of them [the complainants] because I can pay them back ... ," Dookie said, holding on to the prisoner's dock rails for support. He said that he would begin repayments with the support and assistance of his family. "I will pay them back, I can promise you that," he told the judge.

However, Cole-Montague reminded him that she heard similar utterances from individuals brought before the court for similar offences. But Dookie indicated that his words hold weight as he was pleading for bail for a different reason.

It was then that prosecutors indicated that the offender was sentenced to a four-year prison term on fraud charges in the same jurisdiction in 2010. Cole-Montague then said bail would not be considered at the moment as she would prefer to see Dookie's criminal records.

Dookie was made the subject of a fingerprint order and was remanded in custody until April 28. The judge requested that his criminal records be made available at that time.