A man accused of conning at least three people out of millions of dollars appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Raymond Morgan is facing three counts of obtaining money by means of false pretence.

When Morgan appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown, the three complainants were present. However, the court was told that he had similar matters pending in another court.

The allegations are that in one instance, in December 2007, Morgan told the complainant that he was able to import a car. He reportedly collected $400,000 from the complainant but failed to produce the car or to return the money.

In another matter, it is alleged that Morgan told the complainant that he was able to provide her with the material to build a mobile home. This complainant reportedly gave him US$8,200. He failed to provide her with the material or to return her money. In the final matter, it is alleged that Morgan told the complainant that he could sell him a house in Norbook and collected $3,400,000 towards the sale.

Suspicious

The last complainant became suspicious when Morgan reportedly provided him with the names of several attorneys. When the complainant contacted them, however, they said they were not representing him.

Morgan's lawyer told the court that his client was not guilty on all counts. He said in the case regarding the house, his client had collected a total of $9 million and had repaid about five. He also said his client was a developer. He said the matter was only brought before the court because the complainant was a policeman who was under suspicion from the authorities. He said there were concerns about the man being able to afford a house that cost more than $20 million.

He said the second complainant was a friend of the policeman and was encouraged to take the case before the court by him.

The matter is to be mentioned again on December 18.

Accused sand thief on bail

Another man accused of being involved in the theft of sand from a property in Trelawny appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The latest person is Desford Coke, a truck driver, who is charged with simple larceny, conspiracy to commit simple larceny and operating without a license.

The accused is before the court for allegedly being involved in the removal of approximately 6,000 cubic yards of sand from a Coral Springs property in Trelawny.

When he appeared, his attorney, Linton Walters, made an application for bail for his client. A $2-million bail offer was made by Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown with the allowance of one to four sureties.

He is booked to return February 9, the same date as three other men, who are charged with the same offence.