KINGSTON, Jamaica— The case against a man accused of stealing money from his cousin’s house was dismissed after the complainant indicated that he had been repaid some of the stolen cash, with a vow from the accused to pay the rest.

On Tuesday the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court heard that on October 16, 2024 the accused, Odaine Lawrence, gained access to his cousin’s home and stole J$100,000 and US$200.

It is reported that around five in the morning the complainant locked and secured his home and left. Later that morning, around 8am, the complainant’s brother, who was listed as a witness, said that he saw the back door of the house open. He said he called the complainant to verify that he was home, and when the complainant said he was not there, the witness went to make checks.

He told police that when he checked the house, Lawrence was seen searching the home.

Following the incident, the house was searched and it was discovered that the money was missing.

A lawyer representing Lawrence said her client admitted that there was “some truth to the missing US$200 but not the rest”.

It was later revealed that the complainant was paid back the $100,000 by another relative on the accused’s behalf.

“Oh! So that’s why he admitted to that amount because he knows that $100,000 was paid back,” Parish Judge Tracy-Ann Robinson reasoned.

Lawrence’s lawyer further petitioned the court to consider a version of mediation to have the matter settled. The lawyer said that while she is aware that the case falls outside of the scope of what is acceptable for mediation, she made the recommendation on the grounds that the complainant, the accused and the witness are all cousins who live in the same yard.

An on-spot mediation was done and the complainant signed an agreement stating that he is willing to discontinue the case.