Man Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Use of Debit and Credit Cards, Faces Jail Time

After finding a wallet in St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, Jaheem Javan McDonald decided that as his birthday was approaching, he would “do a li’l [something]” to celebrate.

However, using the debit and credit cards which belonged to Adero Daniel landed him before a Bridgetown court yesterday.

Standing in the dock of the District “A” Magistrates’ Court No.1, McDonald, 21, of no fixed place of abode, pleaded guilty to obtaining $136.14 by falsely representing that he was in lawful possession of the credit card which he used and that he was authorised to use it.

He also admitted to dishonestly obtaining $512.99 from Daniel’s chequeing account, with intent to permanently deprive him of the funds, by falsely representing that he had lawful authority to use the card. The offences were committed between October 28 and 31.

Prosecutor Sergeant Randolph Boyce said the complainant used his debit card to enter Harbour Lights, but later received notifications that his card was being used. He contacted the bank and requested that the cards be cancelled.

In court, McDonald said when he found the wallet, he removed the cards and threw it away. Asked why he used the cards, knowing they were not his, the homeless young man replied: “My birthday was the 28th, I find the cards on the 27th, so I tell myself do a li’l [something].”

“But you never thought that if you had returned the man’s wallet, he might have given you a reward?” Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes asked.

Daniel, who said he had been “living on de road since 17”, told the court he used the cards “at various places”. He was remanded to Dodds Prison until Tuesday, during which time an effort will be made to contact his relatives.