Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St Catherine man, arrested for taking money, from a woman to make a wedding ring which she never received, was freed by the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday after making full restitution to the complainant.

Andrew Duggan, 46, was charged with fraudulent conversion. Allegations are that in February 2014, Duggan made arrangements with the complainant to make a wedding ring for her, at a cost of J$60,000.

He subsequently travelled to Montego Bay sometime in May that year, to ensure the complainant was still interested in the ring, and both parties kept in contact.

It is further alleged that on June 27 of that year, Duggan travelled to Montego Bay where the complainant gave him a J$40,000 deposit. She was told the ring would be ready in two weeks, but that promise never materialised.

The complainant then asked for a refund, and when that was not forthcoming, the matter was reported to the police, resulting in Duggan being arrested and charged.

Duggan handed over J$40,000 to the complainant, after she indicated that she would not pursue the matter further, once full restitution was made.

On that basis, the court offered no further evidence against Duggan and he was allowed to go.