Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A housing contractor who was arrested during an April 19 police operation against lottery scammers in Montego Bay, had his bail varied in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Desmond Gray, a 47-year-old resident of Norwood, St James, is charged with unlawful possession of property.

Gray's lawyer, Petrona Wallock, requested that his reporting conditions which required that he report to the Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, be altered to accommodate his work schedule, because he is currently on a building contract in Manchester.

"Because of his contractual obligations, we're asking that his reporting conditions be varied. He is more flexible on weekends," Wallock suggested.

Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small acceded to the request and changed the reporting days, so Gray is now to report on Saturdays and Sundays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"Bail conditions are in place for me to keep track of your client and know where he is," the judge told the lawyer.

outstanding statements

Meanwhile, the prosecution admitted that its case file was still not ready as there is a police statement still outstanding. Warrants of first instance were subsequently ordered for the two investigating officers in the case. The matter will be mentioned again on May 24.

Allegations are that on April 19, a police operation was carried out in the Norwood area in search of persons suspected to be involved in the lottery scam. Investigations led them to Gray's house where a search was conducted.

Several electronic items, including two computers, a fax machine, a home-theatre system, five flat-screen television sets and J$1,886,000 were seized after Gray failed to properly account for them.

When cautioned, Gray reportedly told the police that, "Mi wife have receipts fi dem, she in charge a dem ting deh."

Gray was subsequently arrested and charged for unlawful possession of the seized items.