Rasbert Turner, Portmore Star Writer

A Portmore woman who is said to have run from a motor car which was reportedly stolen, was granted bail when she appeared in court in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Clove Spence, 48-year-old businesswoman of Greater Portmore, St Catherine, is facing charges of larceny of motor vehicle and fraudulent use of licence plates.

The accused was brought before the court after she was held in a car the police claim was stolen.

In applying for bail, attorney Courtney Maxwell told the court his client did run from the police. The lawyer said she was not a flight risk and, in fact, went to the station having heard she was being sought.

Bail was subsequently granted in the sum of $80,000, with a surety to reappear January 22, 2013.

The police said the car was reportedly stolen in January 2010. The court was told that the accused has documents suggesting she purchased the car in October 2009.

Allegations are that, in May this year, she was seen driving a Honda motor car. It was signalled to stop. The driver complied, but ran from the vehicle. While it was being towed, the police observed that the plates belonged to another vehicle.

After checking a receipt in the vehicle, it revealed that the accused owned it.

She was subsequently arrested and charged with larceny and fraudulent use of licence plates.

Spence pleaded guilty to the fraudulent use of licence plates and was fined $24,000 or six months' hard labour.