MONTEGO BAY, St James — Three individuals who illegally gained access to a hotel property on Valentine’s Day and racked up a $165,000-bill appeared before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday to face charges of obtaining credit by fraud.

According to court documents, on February 14 Natasha Burgess, Paulette Richards and Kevon Joe Hill trespassed on the property of the well-known hotel in St James. Upon arriving at the security checkpoint, they presented armbands, claimed to be returning guests, and were granted access.

It is alleged that they entered a room and noticed that it was undergoing maintenance. They then locked the door from the inside before moving on to another room.

A maintenance worker alerted hotel staff after he had difficulty gaining entry to the first room the trio encountered. An investigation was launched and it is alleged that a review of security footage showed the three defendants entering the two rooms.

The court was told that the police were summoned, further investigation led the officers and other hotel personnel to the beach where Burgess, Richards and Hill were spotted. They were subsequently arrested and charged.

During Wednesday’s sitting, the defendants told the court that they had purchased the armbands from someone.

A hotel representative who was present in court stated that a manager was behind the scheme to illegally access rooms and several employees have since resigned.

Burgess, Richards and Hill’s bail conditions were modified to include surrender of their travel documents. Until then they have been remanded in custody until March 20.