Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Former Home Affairs employee charged for impersonating Minister Rohee
A brazen former employee of the Ministry of Home Affairs was hauled before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry
Damien Bailey, former employee of Ministry of Home Affairs
yesterday after he pretended to be the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee in order to con Digicel Guy. and Cellphone Shack out of cellular phones.
Thirty-nine year old Damien Bailey pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to commit a felony by false pretence.
It is alleged that on November 13 last, at Barrack and Fourth Street Kingston, the defendant attempted to obtain from Akeesha Richards, sales representative of Digicel Guy, one Samsung Galaxy cellphone on behalf of Mr. Rohee.
Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said that on the day in question the defendant presented himself at the Digicel office, where he told staffers that he had come to obtain a phone on behalf of Minister Clement Rohee. After presenting what was deemed as relevant documentation, the phone was given to the man.
However, the con artist’s plan began to fall apart when following his departure from the entity, suspicious employees contacted the Minister informing him that the phone he requested was on its way to him.
The Minister made it clear that he did not request any phone. A frantic call was then made to the number of the phone given to the conman who barefacedly answered. The shrewd employees told him that he needed to return to Digicel to collect additional accessories for the phone.
Upon his return he was promptly held.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant had previously attempted to commit a similar offence at Cell Phone Shack.
On that occasion he reportedly made a call to the entity and claimed to be Mr. Rohee stating that he was sending someone to obtain a phone on his behalf. Investigations were made and the phone call was traced to the defendant.
Bailey was represented by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson who said in his bail application, that his client is unblemished and not known by the police. Thompson maintained that the accused was sent and did not act on his own accord.
Thompson told the court that his client is a sickle cell patient and is currently not well. Bailey, who resides at 376 Craig Village, said he is prepared to accept any penalty the court hands down to him.
“He has worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs…so he is not a stupidee”, said Thompson.
Prosecutor Grant objected to bail based on the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence and due to the fact that the defendant had tried to con Cell Phone Shack previously.
After taking these factors into consideration, the Chief Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $200,000. He is to return to court on December 22.
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