Two St Catherine men who tricked a woman out of $15,000 were sentenced to serve twelve months' hard labour in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Those sentenced are 71-year-old Raphael Collington and 53-year-old Paul Allen of Homstead and Lime Tree Grove, respectively.

In handing down sentence, Resident Magistrate (RM) Ann-Marie Nembhard told the men that their actions were very serious and they could not be given non-custodial sentences.

Attorney-at-law Sean Kinghorn begged the RM not to impose custodial sentences on his clients especially Collington whom he claimed suffers from ill-health.

"I don't know how the accused health will withstand prison. However, it is not known how they will survive. It is between them and their Maker. It would not be prudent to keep them on the street to continue theses criminal acts," Nembhard said.

Allegations are that on February 18, about 2:45 p.m., the complainant completed a transaction at a bank in Portmore and was approached by Allen. He reportedly told her that his friend lost some money from his account. The woman was told that they were encouraged by her seemingly trustworthy appearance and she would be given a sum of money to deposit.

She was convinced, however, to hand over the money she had withdrawn and go for a receipt to prove to his friend she did a transaction. It was after doing this and she was halfway to the bank that both accused men were seen driving away with her money in a taxi. The complainant shouted 'tief tief', and they were held and charged with conspiracy and larceny by trick. Both pleaded guilty.