Phone allegedly found in inmate’s cell

Bail was denied for an alleged fraudster after a cell phone was found in his cell at the Denham Town Police Station, where he is being held in custody.

The revelation was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday, when the accused, Matthew Graham, returned to court a day after his attorney Orville Morgan provided an address for police to verify should Graham be offered bail. Prosecutors told Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque that the address was not verified and in light of new information, their stance on bail being offered had changed.

"A cell phone was found in custody and when searched, several overseas calls were made by the accused Mr Graham," the court heard. According to Morgan, Graham denies being found in possession of a cell phone and contradicted the prosecutor's indication that the address was verified.

"I was called by the investigator who told me that the address was verified," the attorney shared with the court.

However, the request for bail was denied as the judge said she "will not be offering the accused bail".

Graham, who according to Morgan is a 26-year-old diabetic patient, risks infection should in he remain in custody.

"He has received medical treatment but we can see the condition of his legs. They are swollen, there are sores and if the lock-ups are not properly sanitised, he will get infected," Morgan argued on September 29, the last time the matter was before the court.

Graham is charged on an indictment with five counts of simple larceny, three counts of conspiracy to defraud, four counts of unauthorised access to computer data, four counts of access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of an offence, and two counts of possession of criminal property. He has not yet entered a plea.

The case file is not yet complete as the report from the Communication Forensic and Cybercrime Division is not submitted. Graham was remanded in custody until January 31, 2024.

- T.T.