WESTERN BUREAU

A former freelance writer of a popular western Jamaica media house was remanded in custody on Wednesday when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court to answer fraud charges.

Hopeton 'Henry' Bucknor is facing four counts of possession and uttering of fraudulent documents, obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.

Bucknor, who told the court that he now operates a car rental business, has not yet retained the services of a lawyer.

Allegations are that Bucknor went to the complainant's establishment to encash four US-dollar cheques totalling US$4993.70 (approximately J$319,000).

He was arrested on June 19 after the cheques were returned without any funds being given to the complainant.

Bucknor told RM Winsome Henry that he received the cheques from customers of his business. He maintained that he has been encashing cheques with the complainant for a long time, and that the money had been repaid.

However the judge ordered him to return to the custody of the police until July 2, and expressed an interest in speaking with the investigating officer, who was not in attendance.