MONTEGO BAY, St James — A shocking case of trust betrayed unfolded in the St James Parish Court last Wednesday as Charmaine Heslop pleaded guilty to larceny as a servant.

The defendant, entrusted with cash to run a local bar’s poker boxes, is now under scrutiny for a shortfall of $228,900.

On December 22, 2025, Heslop received $30,000 in cash as a float to operate the poker boxes at a bar in Flanker, St James. When the owner checked the boxes on January 4, a total profit of $198,900 was recorded — but Heslop could only account for $9,450.

When questioned by the police, Heslop admitted taking the money, saying: “A tek mi tek di money fi sort out some business, but mi a get money weekend.”

In court, she claimed she had used the cash to buy supplies and tidy the bar.

The bar owner rejected her claims outright.

“That’s a total lie. She does not buy goods for my bar. I buy goods for myself. I called and ordered it from the Chinese at the market, and they sent it to me and came for the money at my house,” the complainant said.

Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton ordered a social enquiry report and deferred sentencing until March 4. Heslop’s bail has been extended until that date.