KINGSTON, Jamaica— Several people from Clarendon were recently hauled before the May Pen Parish Court to face charges for the unlawful usage of water and the unlawful taking and supplying of water.

The National Water Commission (NWC) said that during routine recheck operations in July, the company’s Clarendon Revenue Recovery Team in conjunction with the police visited the communities of Preddie and Chapelton Road.

The operations resulted in five people being arrested by the police and brought before the Court on August 3.

Three people from the Preddie community were convicted.

Lancie McLean was found guilty on two counts of unlawful taking of water. He was fined $150,000 or 30 days in prison on the first count and $150,000.00 or three months in prison for the second count.

Asinto Williams was found guilty of unlawful taking of water and was fined $150,000.00 or 30 days in prison.

Hugh Sweeney was found guilty of unlawful taking of water and unlawful supplying of water. He was fined $150,000 or three months in prison on the first count and another $20,000 or 30 days in prison for the second count.

Additionally, warrants were issued for Una Taylor and Georgeth McLaughlin both of Chapelton Road, for their failure to appear before the Court.

Four additional people from the Milk River area were also prosecuted on August 15 and are presently awaiting a date to appear in court.

NWC Revenue Recovery Manager, Raymond Nesbeth said that delinquency and theft contribute significantly to the financial losses that the commission faces each year and “must be tackled aggressively to reap the desired result”.

Nesbeth is urging customers faced with challenges in paying bills, to visit the commercial office where arrangements can be made to settle outstanding balances and to “avoid lengthy court action, unnecessary costs and embarrassment”.