ST JAMES, Jamaica — A security guard was granted bail of $150,000 with up to three sureties, while his two co-accused had their station bail extended following their appearance in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday to answer to charges surrounding the theft of more than $370,000 from a woman’s bank account.

Christopher Howell, Delano Wright and Shakey Stewart are facing charges under the Cybercrimes Act after allegedly accessing and spending the funds without permission.

Stewart was granted bail by presiding Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton with up to three sureties and reporting conditions. Likewise, Howell and Wright had their station bail extended with reporting conditions until November 19, when the matter returns to court.

It was revealed in court that, during the last week of August, the complainant attempted a withdrawal at an NCB ATM in Montego Bay only to be told she had insufficient funds. An investigation by the bank soon revealed unauthorised activity.

On October 6, an NCB representative contacted the woman asking if she knew Christopher Howell. She confirmed she did but denied giving him access to her account. The bank’s investigation identified an email used to access the funds between August 22 and 27. The allegations are that the complainant then stealthily launched her own investigation and contacted Howell. Based on information he provided, she confirmed his email matched the one used for the transactions, the court was told.

Later, the bank representative asked about Stewart and Wright. The complainant again confirmed knowing them but said she had not authorised them to use her account. NCB’s checks revealed that between August 22 and 27, a total of $371,468.98 had been accessed and used for multiple online purchases.

The complainant reported the matter to the police, explaining that she worked alongside Stewart and Howell at a Montego Bay health centre. She noted that the facility lacked lockers, so her purse was kept on a shared desk, giving the trio potential access.

The court was told that during examination in connection with the investigation, Howell acknowledged understanding the charges against him, Stewart said he felt stressed while Wright made no comment. The allegations are that Howell accessed the card and shared it with the other men.

The corroboration officer’s statement, a bank printout and a question-and-answer document are still outstanding in the case.