A man, said to be the proprietor of a tourism business and who is charged with fraudulent conversion, was remanded in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday until July 23 as several statements needed by the attorneys in the matter are outstanding.

The accused man, Lascelles Clarke, an accountant, was ordered to give his fingerprints to the police.

Allegations are that sometime last year, the accused man was approached by a woman, a diplomat from an embassy in Kingston, to plan an event on her behalf. He was given approximately US$25,000 over the period but was unforthcoming with the requests of the diplomat.

Failure to repay

When he failed to repay the money to the diplomat at her request, the matter was reported to the Flying Squad and Clarke was arrested.

In court, Clarke's attorney, Keith Bishop, tried but was, however, unsuccessfully to secure bail for his client.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey enquired of the investigating officer the objections she had to bail. It was revealed that although the accused operated a business, there were hardly any furniture present at the business except for half of a draw and a table and bed at his St Andrew home.

Bail was denied and his attorney requested of the magistrate in writing the reasons for denying Clarke bail. The parties are to return to court on July 23.

The accused man was approached by a woman, a diplomat from an embassy in Kingston. to plan an event on her behalf.