Man ordered to pay car-rental company for missing vehicle

The St James Parish Court has ordered a man who reportedly stole a motor car from a car-rental company in 2021 to pay for the missing vehicle.

Alphanso Martin, of a Mt Salem address in St James, was last week told by Parish Court judge Sasha-Marie Ashley to be prepared to pay $200,000 when he returns to court on January 31 next year. He will be required to pay a total of $900,000 in restitution.

Martin, who is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, was offered bail in the sum of $400,000 when he appeared before Ashley on December 21.

The allegations are that on June 10, 2021, Martin rented a vehicle from the complainant's company with an understanding that he was to return the car three days later. Martin returned on June 17, four days after the due return date, and made arrangements to pay for subsequent rentals of the car through deposits to the complainant's bank account. However, subsequent attempts by the complainant to get further payments from Martin or to contact him were unsuccessful. A report was made to the police, and following investigations Martin was arrested and charged.

During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that the parties had made an agreement following a restorative justice session, in which Martin agreed to repay the defendant a total of $900,000.

Judge Ashley subsequently offered bail to Martin in the sum of $400,000 with two sureties and ordered him to have $200,000 ready to start the repayment process during the next court date.