News briefs
August 04, 2007
# PM's bodyguard bailed
Corporal Randolph Mullings, who has been charged in connection with a stolen car, was granted bail in the sum of $500,000 when he appeared before the Yallahs Resident Magistrate Court in St. Thomas, yesterday.
Cpl. Mullings, a member of the Prime Minister's security team, was slapped with four charges of fraudulent use of registration plates, uttering forged documents, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to receive stolen property. Judith Fuller, of Denbigh, Clarendon; Lloyd Vannister, of Rae Town, Kingston and Robert Lewis of Bedward Gardens in St. Andrew, who had also been charged in connection with the case, were also granted bail.
# No to free health care - MAJ
Complete removal of user fees in hospitals is not prudent at this time, according to Dr. Alverston Bailey, president of the Medical Association of Jamaica.
The Jamaica Labour Party- has promised that it would abolish user fees in hospitals if it were to form the next Government. But Dr. Bailey says those who can afford to pay should continue doing so.
"It sends the wrong message to the population that, even though they can contribute to their own health care need, they can get it free," Dr. Bailey told The Gleaner. He suggested free health care should be limited to the elderly, children, mentally challenged and the destitute, noting that a system could be worked out to determine those who cannot afford to pay.
# Former hotel employee remanded
A former employee of the Iberostar Hotel in Rose Hall, St. James, who allegedly defrauded the resort of more than $12 million, was remanded in custody when she appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday.
Twenty-four-year-old Janice Caruthers, of Paradise, Norwood - a former payables clerk - was charged with larceny as a servant, conspiracy to defraud and falsifying accounts. She did not enter a plea to the charges as her attorney, Morrel Beckford, expressed the need to peruse the file so he can properly advise his client on the correct course of action.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
