Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to possession of and uttering counterfeit notes was fined a total of $10,000 for his actions in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

He is Roland Powell, 22-year-old labourer of Spanish Town, St Catherine.

When Powell appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty with explanation.

He explained that he was a vendor who sold in the Coronation Market in Kingston. He said that was where the money was passed to him.

"Your honour, I was very glad when the police hold me as a pure lick mi did a get. Mi really never know sey a counterfeit mi have until the lady start shout 'tief' an' mi start run," he said.

The Resident Magistrate then asked that the statement be read.

The accused was then told the Crown had accepted his plea. He was subsequently fined. He was also fined $2000 or 10 days for having an offensive weapon in his possession.

It was revealed that on August 29, the accused went to a stall along Burke Road, Spanish Town.

He tendered a Jamaica $500 bill to pay for a phonecard. It was found to be counterfeited.

The vendor sounded an alarm and he was chased and held by Constable Kirk Weston of the Elletson Road police station.