ST ANN, Jamaica— The sentencing of former National Commercial Bank employee, Khadene Thomas was stood down after presiding judge Lorna Montague-Williams asked that the accused make a full restitution of over USD$400,000 before the next trial set for June 27.

According to Montague-Williams, the restitution will be a part of Thomas’ sentencing to be handed down in the St Ann Parish Court.

Attorney Matthew Hyatt who is representing Thomas said his client is prepared to make full restitution.

“I can say that Miss Thomas has US$100,000 so far of the US$400,000 and we will make full restitution in this matter,” he said.

In February, Thomas had pleaded guilty for fleecing three of the institution’s customers of millions whilst being a wealth advisor. She admitted to three counts of larceny as a servant and 31 counts of uttering forged documents.

READ: Former NCB employee pleads guilty to $75.4m fraud

Thomas was charged under the Cybercrime Act in 2023. It was revealed in court that during her two-year tenure managing the company’s wealth portfolios, she forged client’s signatures on a debit instrument then debited their accounts and transferred funds to several accounts, including hers.

READ: NCB employee charged in multi-million-dollar fraud

The court heard, during Wednesday’s proceedings that one of the three customers who were robbed said she should be locked up and the keys thrown away while the other two said their wish is to not have anything to do with the case.

Hyatt, made submissions of pleading mitigations and asked that Judge Montague- Williams consider a suspended sentence.

“Custodial sentences are for more serious offences but she is not a threat to society or her community. The purpose of that type of imprisonment is to protect the public but Miss Thomas has no previous convictions and has not demonstrated a violent nature to then say we must lock up this individual,” Hyatt stated

The total amount said to have been stolen by Thomas amounts to J$74.5 million.

-Akera Davis