Bank threat sparks arrest - Woman jailed for threatening to bomb Sagicor over disputed $9,000 transaction

A Corporate Area woman spent four days in custody for threatening to 'bomb up' a bank after one of the representatives failed to provide satisfactory responses about a $9,000 transaction on her account.

The woman, a mother of two, was slapped with the serious charge of using a computer for malicious communication. The offence, which is contained in the Cybercrime Act, attracts a maximum fine of $4 million or four years imprisonment.

Investigators attached to the police's Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch shared that on November 19, the defendant contacted the Sagicor customer care centre, seeking to gain information about a disputed October transaction of $9,000. The defendant reportedly became irate with the bank's representative and said, "People a Sagicor a guh start drop like fly, and if me nuh get my money by Monday (November 20), me a guh bomb up Sagicor!"

The matter was reported to the police and the 32-year-old woman was taken into custody on November 20.

"That's the catch thing these days," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque said when the matter was mentioned in the Kingston & St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday.

Two weeks ago, a series of threats resulted in the disruption of more than 80 institutions that stretched the country's emergency response teams to the limit.

In court on Thursday, prosecutors initially informed the judge that they would request an adjournment to properly evaluate the file, "to see if the offence meet the requirements under section 9 of the Cybercrime Act". However, the defendant's legal counsel submitted that her client, the mother of two sons, ages 10 and 16, meant no harm.

"My instructions are that she was frustrated, as we all can imagine the emotions of being financially strained and talking to people who are not able to tell you about your funds. It was $9,000 and it may sound small, but to me, it indicates the dire situation," the lawyer said.

The prosecution then informed the judge that they would be withdrawing the matter against the woman.

"Your Honour, on second thought, since we are clearing up our backlog, I have assessed the file and because of what has been happening the other day, with the series [of bomb threats], I had my reservations. But in light of these allegations, I don't think she was a person who would do it. Nine thousand dollars means so much to her and I am minded to withdraw the matter," the prosecutor said.

The judge cautioned the defendant to be cognisant that words carry consequences. The defendant, who works as a kitchen assistant, apologised for her action and promised "I won't let it happen again".