Cashier fleeces $400,000 from bettors

A cashier who stole almost half a million dollars from a gaming company outlet at which she was employed, is yet to make compensation.

The defendant, Sandiana Sawyers, has not repaid a cent even though the matter has been before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court since December.

It was reported that Sawyers was employed by the complainant to operate the terminal owned by the gaming company. However, when persons placed their bets, Sawyers pocketed the monies for herself. The former cashier reportedly pocketed $400,000. Sawyers, who agreed on a previous occasion to make restitution, said she has fallen on hard times and is not able to make payment.

"Me keep a cake sale last week and di people dem say dem never remember. Me have my fridge full a cake and everybody credit it out. Your Honour, I'm not working right now," Sawyers shared. But neither the complainant nor presiding Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray were impressed by her efforts.

"Your Honour, she is a habitual liar. It was up on her [WhatsApp] status so everybody see and know bout the cake sale," the complainant responded bluntly, after indicating that she would not accept the $10,000 Sawyers presented as compensation.

"That's not enough," the complainant said of the defendant's attempts to repay.

The judge stressed that the allegations were serious and that Sawyers would have to improve her efforts for the next court date.

"This is a serious matter Ma'am. Bring no less than $60,000 on the next court date," Judge Blackstock-Murray instructed.

The matter was adjourned until July 25 for Sawyers to bring additional funds.

"Look like me aguh jail because me nuh have nuh money fi bring come," Sawyers mumbled as she hastily exited the courtroom.

- T.T.