Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

A Westmoreland couple who reportedly swindled $2 million from two bus owners had their case deferred to October 8, for the man to get a lawyer, when they appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Thirty-six-year-old Andre Poorman, who is of a George's Plain address in Westmoreland, and 37-year-old Latesha Saunders, had previously appeared in court, on Friday, September 27, on charges of fraudulent conversion, obtaining money by false pretence, and conspiracy to defraud. Poorman was remanded in police custody while Saunders was offered bail in the sum of $500,000, when the case was mentioned yesterday.

The allegations are that, sometime in August, Poorman and Saunders, while claiming to be the operators of a tour company, approached the two complainants and asked them to lease their buses to their purported bus fleet. The complainants were later told that they needed to sell their buses and buy new ones, and $2 million was collected from them for this purpose.

When the new buses were not forthcoming, the complainants made a police report. Poorman was subsequently arrested on August 28, while Saunders was taken into custody on September 24.

"Do you have a lawyer now, Mr Poorman?" Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tai asked Poorman.

"Mr Adrian Dayes (attorney-at-law) was supposed to visit me yesterday, so I am asking for a little more time," said Poorman.

"How much time do you need to settle things with your attorney?" asked RM Tai.

"Until next Tuesday (October 8)," Poorman replied.

"Ms Saunders was offered bail in the sum of $500,000 (previously); the bail offer for her remains," said RM Tai, as she also ordered Poorman to be remanded and set the case for mention on October 8.