Heart patient steals dead cop’s identity

A senior parish judge was left shell-shocked after learning that a 62-year-old man, who was diagnosed with heart failure and prostate cancer, had adopted the identity of a deceased police sergeant.

"You were so bold. This is serious you know, very, very serious. People think it's only murder, rape and robbery that make people petrified; identity theft is a serious thing you know. This is a man who I think needs to burn some time," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque said.

The defendant, Oral Stewart clutched his chest tightly and raised his head to the ceiling, as the judge indicated sternly that his freedom will be taken away.

"He must have a period of discomfort, even with the heart failure," the senior judge said.

"Oh my God," Stewart bellowed, as the judge scolded him.

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that police were on patrol at the Norman Manley International Airport on May 31 when they noticed a vehicle parked in a restricted area. Stewart was asked to produce his driver's licence when he informed the lawmen that he was a cop. Stewart was asked to produce his identification. He showed an ID card, bearing his name, a force regulation number and the commissioner's signature. He allegedly told the officers that he was attached to the Mobile Reserve undercover unit.

The investigating officer said his suspicions were aroused, which led him to verify Stewart's claim. He was informed by colleagues that the ID number belonged to a deceased member. Further investigations at the commissioner's officer and at the Major Investigations Division, revealed that the ID belonged to a late detective sergeant who died in 2018. He was attached to the Half-Way Tree Police Station. The court heard further that Stewart also possessed a driver's licence in the sergeant's name.

When Stewart was cautioned, he allegedly said, "Constable, a nuh supm me eva use. Me just did a try a one on you guys 'cause one day me try it on a corporal and him let me through."

Stewart pleaded guilty to being in possession of forged documents, conspiracy to defraud, breaching section 27 of the Constabulary Force Act, two counts of breaching the Cybercrime Act, no parking under the Airport Authority Act, having no driver's licence and having no insurance coverage.

Stewart noted that he has not been working since his diagnoses and stressed that he has never used the fake documents before. However, an investigator said he has an outstanding ticket on the fake licence.

"You thought you would come and pay a fine? That's what you thought? Breathe in and breathe out before I send you where you are going; I don't want anything happen to you. I am going to remand you in custody and a man of your age should know better," Cole-Montaque informed Stewart, before he hastily sat down in the court's gallows as his fate was decided.

Stewart was allowed time by the police to do deep-breathing exercises before he was taken into custody. He was remanded until June 21.