KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Kingston man accused of fleecing a businesswoman of more than $3 million was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Thirty-seven-year-old Garrett Savoury of Paddington Avenue, Kingston 6 was charged on Tuesday, April 29, with four counts of obtaining money by false pretence.

Savoury, who is currently in the process of securing legal representation, informed Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell that he expects to finalise arrangements for his defence within the next two weeks.

According to allegations, the matter dates back to 2015 when Savoury became acquainted with the complainant’s daughter and subsequently formed a friendship.

Over time, he was introduced to the rest of the family and grew particularly close to the complainant, a businesswoman.

It is alleged that Savoury exploited the woman’s trust and emotions by fabricating stories concerning threats to her family’s well-being. In order to “protect” the family, he reportedly solicited large sums of money from her.

The complainant is said to have made three separate cash payments of $500,000 each to Savoury. Additionally, she handed over US$20,000 after he claimed he could secure American citizenship for her granddaughter. However, none of the promises were fulfilled, and it is alleged that Savoury kept the funds for personal use.

The Crown argued that the incident had caused significant financial hardship to the complainant’s family. During the presentation of the Crown’s case, Savoury was observed turning to look at individuals seated in the public gallery, a gesture which Judge Burrell remarked was “rather curious”.

“What is being described sounds rather unsavoury,” the judge noted.

Savoury has reportedly been convicted of similar offences in the past and is currently on trial at the Home Circuit Court in relation to another matter. He remains in custody for both cases.

He is scheduled to return to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on July 22, 2025.

A fingerprint order was also made.

READ: Kingston 6 man allegedly fleeces businesswoman of J$160 million

— Vanassa McKenzie