Backhoes land man in court

A British national who reportedly failed to deliver several backhoes for which he had been paid PS53,000 (J$9,087,865.15) will be brought back before the St James Parish Court on July 11, when his bail application will be heard.

Andrew Taffe, of London, England, and Kingston 20 addresses, has been charged with fraudulent conversion. He was remanded in custody when he appeared in court on June 27.

The court was told that between January and October 2017, the complainant paid Taffe PS53,000 to purchase several backhoes and ship them to Jamaica.

However, after a period of subsequent time passed, Taffe failed to provide the equipment or refund the money and was unable to provide proof that he had, in fact, purchased the backhoes.

A report was made, and he was subsequently arrested and charged.

When Taffe appeared in court, his attorney, Martyn Thomas, told presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small that the accused man's family members would stand surety for him if he should be offered bail. He also offered to surrender Taffe's passport to the authorities.

The court was told that Taffe is a studio engineer who also imports and sells motor vehicles for a living.

Taffe was subsequently remanded in police custody until July 11, where the bail application will continue. He was also ordered to submit his fingerprints to the police.