KINGSTON, Jamaica — A woman and her co-accused, charged with fleecing a man of $8.9 million in a bogus property deal, avoided prison time on Tuesday after repaying the full sum to the complainant.

Michelle Burrell, who was in police custody, and her co-accused Christopher Powell, who was out on bail, appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Burrell was charged with one count of fraudulent conversion, while Powell faced two counts. Both pleaded not guilty.

According to allegations, the complainant was offered a property for sale at $50 million. He reportedly began making payments to both Burrell and Powell, totalling $8.9 million. However, after the funds were transferred to several accounts linked to the accused, all communication reportedly ceased.

The complainant demanded the return of his money, but no refunds were made, prompting him to file a police report. The incident is alleged to have occurred between January and May of last year.

The prosecution informed the court that since being charged, both accused had wired the full $8.9 million back into the complainant’s account.

Presiding Judge Peter Wilson insisted that the full sum must be confirmed in the complainant’s account before Burrell could be released from custody and the matter dismissed.

“What I am saying is that I ain’t making any ruling until the money is confirmed—whether it is to adjourn until the money is confirmed or we come back another day,” he said.

The matter was temporarily stood down while the complainant checked with his bank. The prosecution later reported that $7.4 million had cleared.

Powell’s attorney, Steven Powell, told the court he personally transferred the funds and assured the judge the remaining balance would reflect shortly. He also offered to cover any shortfall.

“For everybody’s sake, I hope the money [clears], because I don’t want to be involved with this. The court has gone out on a ledge in relation to this matter. [Approximately] $1.5 million is still owing to you. What has been said by counsel is that if the money for some reason is not cleared into your account, he will personally put up that $1.5 [million],” said Judge Wilson.

“What counsel is saying is that, ‘I am putting up my bar license—my practising certificate—before the court to show that this money will be paid to you’. Based on that, the court has decided to have this matter end here today, in that the money is as good as there. If the money is not there, sir, contact the investigating officer. We will take it from there.”

— Vanassa McKenzie