Cabbie admits to fake robbery report

A taxi operator, who faked a robbery report to assist in his insurance claim, was offered bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday.

Shane Green, 42, is before the criminal court for robbery with aggravation following an alleged incident on April 4. It is alleged that two days later, Green contacted the Hunts Bay Police Station, informing lawmen that he had been robbed by men aboard a Mazda motor vehicle. However, when he was ordered by police officers to make a formal statement, Green told investigators that his report of the robbery was fake and it was a mistake.

"He said it was a figment of his imagination, it was a mistake," the prosecutor said.

"It was a case where he rented the motor vehicle and he heard that there was accident and they were trying to ensure that the insurance monies were paid," Green's attorney, Nicolette Hamilton, submitted.

"It was an attempt to an act of dishonesty. The things we can come up with in Jamaica," Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell said, having heard the lawyer's arguments.

Green pleaded guilty to creating public mischief and was offered $150,000 bail with at least two sureties. He was ordered to report to the police twice weekly and surrender his travel documents. A stop order was also imposed.

The defendant was made the subject of a fingerprint order and a social-enquiry report was requested by the judge. Sentencing was postponed until June 24.

- T.T.