Despite desperate attempts to prove her innocence, Veronica Lyons was sentenced to three months in jail when her case was mentioned in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Lyons is charged with obtaining money by means of false pretence.

British work permit

The court was told that Lyons pretended that she was able to provide the complainant with a British work permit and collected $50,000 from her. The accused, however, told the court she had no knowledge of the scam.

She admitted, however, that she did collect the money but said she was asked to do so by a friend. She said she was in the Half-Way Tree area when her friend Ann, called and asked where she was. She said Ann asked her to meet the complainant at the bank and collect the money.

Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, however, told Lyons that she did not believe her story. She said Lyons was a foot soldier who carried out the dirty work for the scam's mastermind.

Though Lyons stressed repeatedly that she was a good and hard-working person who has never been in trouble, RM Pusey was not moved. The complainant was repaid in court.

Lyons was then sentenced to three months in jail. She did little to contain her despair after the sentence was passed as she screamed: "Lawd Jesus! Woi! Mi nah go mek it! Mi a go dead!"