A former pharmaceutical company worker who allegedly defrauded his employer of $1.4 million and was given several chances by the court to repay the money, was sentenced to 12 months in prison last week Monday after he failed to make restitution.

The accused, Carl Sterling, 44, of May Pen in Clarendon, pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court late last year, and since then was given about four chances by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey to make restitution.

On the last occasion when Sterling appeared in court on April 20, his lawyer, Shanagaye Mitchell, told the court that her client could not come up with the money, but RM Pusey told her that she was willing to give Sterling a final chance to make restitution, as it would be a factor in his sentence.

As a result Sterling’s bail was extended. However, last week Monday when Sterling appeared in court he indicated that he was still unable to come up with the money and was sentenced by the magistrate.

He was sentenced to 12 months each on all counts of embezzlement, which will run concurrently.

The court heard that Sterling, who was employed as a sales clerk, collected cash and cheques from clients in May Pen and Hanover, but failed to hand over the money to his employer.