A St James woman who allegedly fleeced another out of $70,000 by posing as a landlord has been granted bail in the amount of $150,000 in her own surety.

Yanique Gordon, who appeared in the St James Parish Court for the first time on Wednesday, was granted bail by presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley. She was not transported there when the case was first presented to the court on the previously mentioned date.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the case was stood down to allow the parties to participate in a mediation session with a probation officer who was present in court.

The probation officer’s role in the mediation session was to facilitate communication and assist the parties in reaching an agreement. This strategy aimed to foster understanding while potentially avoiding a lengthy court process.

When the case was revisited, the court was informed that Gordon had agreed to compensate the complainant.

After bail was granted, Smith-Ashley rescheduled a mention date for September 15, when Gordon must confirm her first payment to the court.

According to prosecutors, on the day in question, the complainant was looking for a place to live when Gordon offered to rent her a one-bedroom apartment in West Green, St James.

The complainant reportedly paid the accused woman $70,000, and a set of keys were handed over to her. When the complainant attempted to enter the premises, she discovered she had been given counterfeit keys.

The matter was reported to the police, who launched an investigation that revealed that Gordon was not the rightful owner of the property.

She was subsequently arrested and charged with obtaining money by false pretences.

“The court was informed during Wednesday’s proceedings that the prosecution’s case file has not been completed because additional statements are expected.”

Woman charged with fraudulent conversion, ganja possession

A woman who allegedly pocketed almost $400,000 belonging to another after being hired by the woman to collect rent on her behalf has been granted bail.

Venisa Campbell, 37, of Comfort Hall, Anchovy in St James, was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 with up to two sureties following an application by her attorney Charles Sinclair, on Wednesday.

According to court documents, the complainant, who resides overseas, made arrangements with the accused to collect rent on her behalf and deposit the funds into her bank account.

Campbell is alleged to have collected $391,000 from the tenant between 2021 and this year and misappropriated the funds for her personal use rather than depositing it as agreed.

The complainant discovered the discrepancy when she noticed that her bank account balance did not reflect the expected rental income.

When the complainant arrived in the island, the matter was reported to the Area One Fraud Squad, which launched an investigation and arrested Campbell.

She was subsequently charged with fraudulent conversion.

As a condition of her bail, she is to report to a specific police station on specific days. She was also ordered to surrender her travel documents and a stop order will be imposed at all ports. She is to return to court on October 2.

Campbell is also charged with possession and dealing in ganja after 12 ounces of the weed was found inside her shop.

She will be sentenced for the ganja on her next court date.