Ordered to pay six per cent interest on money

A pastor was remanded and ordered to pay a complainant with interest for allegedly defrauding her of a motor car and the misuse of money she gave to him. Charged with fraudulent conversion is 34-year-old Omar Johnson, otherwise called Preacher, of Stony Hill, St Andrew.

The court heard that the pastor was given $475,000 by the complainant to purchase a motor vehicle, which he later transferred in his name.

The complainant said Johnson told her that he was active in the ministry and that he did a lot of walking, so she decided to buy a car to help out.

Allegations are that he was also given $60,000, which he converted to his own use. The 54-year-old complainant told investigators that Johnson had "broke her" within the two-month period, September 2014 to November 2014, that he worked with her.

She had also disclosed that she developed depression as a result of what had happened and was on medication.

However, when the matter was called up in court yesterday, the complainant had an apparent change of heart and requested mediation.

Though reluctant, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey presided over the case and asked that Johnson's attorney have a mature discussion with him.

When the matter was revisited, the attorney outlined that her client was willing to repay the money owed.

RM Pusey told the accused that he was to make restitution to the complainant, who is also a member of the church, for $515,000, plus an interest of six per cent.

Johnson is to return to court on June 1.