Hustling turns costly - Man ordered to repay US$1,000 by November

A man's freedom is in jeopardy if he returns to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in November without US$1,000 (approximately J$156,910) to make full restitution.

Julius Spence was given the deadline of November 21 to have the full sum brought to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to make repayment to the complainant. It was shared by prosecutors that Spence was given the monies to purchase two tonnes of steel. Spence, 50, pleaded guilty to fraudulent conversion before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell on Monday.

"Your Honour, it was a likkle hustling. The guy weh supposed to get the steel for me, take the money and gone overseas," Spence explained.

"You know why I have so much work to do? Is because of this hustling ting. You are going to pay the price for being foolish," Burrell said.

Spence, who brought $15,000 to court as payment, was warned by the judge to have the full sum available for the next court date.

"Seems like I'm going to have you get acquainted with the penal system. If you know what [is] good for you, pay the money," she warned.

Spence, who is on bail, was made the subject of a fingerprint order, and a social enquiry report requested to assist the judge with sentencing.