Woman on bond pleads guilty to 9 more deception charges

A 26-year-old woman who was last month bonded for deceiving three people through a Facebook scam has been remanded to prison for two days to await sentencing on nine similar charges.

On Tuesday, at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, Senior Magistrate Colin John remanded the woman, Tasheca Bacchus to prison to await sentencing on Thursday.

Lawyer Grant Connell, who was seated at the bar table but was not involved in the matter, commented, “She’ll still get Wi-Fi round dey!”

Bacchus pleaded guilty to charges that on specific dates, by deception, she dishonestly received EC$50 from Shaniel Williams, of Byera; EC$50 from Jameila Neverson; EC$110 from Kurisha Burkley, of Barroullie; EC$50 from Rhea Baptiste, of Magum/Friendship, Bequia; EC$150 from Barbara Barnfield, of Edinboro; EC$100 from Elisha Baynes, of Richland Park; EC$70 from Nicola Charles, of Park Hill, EC$500 from Marisha Matthews, of Clifton, Union Island, EC$500 from Sheraline Barker, of Clifton, Union Island with the intention to permanently depriving each of those persons of the various amounts.

In presenting the facts, Prosecutor acting Corporal of Police Corlene Samuel told the court that on Jan. 4, Vickie Haywood, of Buccament, was browsing Facebook when she came across the “Kidz World” Facebook page.

The page had an advertisement for people to help out with deliveries.

Haywood, who was unemployed at the time, reached out to the page via Facebook Messenger and expressed her interest in employment.

Bacchus responded to Haywood, presenting herself as “Janice Timm” and claiming to be the owner of the business.

She also employed Haywood.

Bacchus solicited the public in the name of the page and attracted 13 clients.

The proposed payment was for clients to make a down payment of 50% or 75% respectively and pay the remainder in three weeks when they received the items.

Bacchus arranged for Haywood to meet with all clients in Kingstown to collect payments on her behalf.

Haywood did so on several occasions and issued the clients with receipts after collecting their payments.

Bacchus would arrange with Haywood, purporting to be the owner and advising that someone would collect the payments from her.

This was done on three occasions: once outside Coreas Mini Mart on Lower Bay Street, Kingstown; another time outside Randy’s Supermarket located on the same street; and at a dental clinic located on the compound of Massy Stores at Stoney Ground.

When receiving the money from Haywood, the defendant gave her the false name “Rhea”.

After several weeks had passed and clients were complaining about not receiving their items, Haywood got suspicious and reached out to the page, which stated that there was a delay and they would inform the clients of it.

About a week later, Haywood was still receiving complaints from clients as they were yet to receive their goods and suggested to the page that she would refund everyone.

The page agreed to refund everyone and sent Haywood several pictures of more shoes from different clients and told her that she should collect monies from these people in order to refund the clients from before.

Haywood found this to be suspicious and reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department.

PC 105 Castello recorded a statement from Haywood and launched an investigation.

In mitigation, Bacchus, who was unrepresented and who spoke so softly that it was difficult to hear her voice in the public gallery of the court, said, “It wasn’t my intention.”

“And why did you change your name?” the magistrate said. “It shows you are dishonest.”

Bacchus told the court that she was doing business.

The magistrate remanded Bacchus in custody, telling her he wanted her to experience prison to decide if she wanted to live a life behind bars.

On March 4, John ordered Bacchus to repay people from whom she had obtained a total of EC$375.

The magistrate also bonded Bacchus for six months in the sum of EC$500. If she breaches the bond, she must pay the sum forthwith or go to prison for three months.