A Mahaicony miner, accused of fraudulently converting money given to him to purchase mining machinery, was yesterday granted bail by a city court.
Hilton Charles was charged with fraudulently converting to his own use and benefit $700,000 given to him to purchase and deliver a lavador to Yevs Harper Thorne.
Attorney Keisha Chase told the court that her client, Charles, 43, of Lot 4 Area Hall, Mahaicony, had paid some of the money toward the machine but just as he was scheduled to make the next payment, he fell ill. Chase stated that the accused had been rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered that a blood vessel had ruptured in his head. As a result of his condition, he has been unable to pay off the outstanding money as he only started back at work last Monday.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan granted the accused bail in the amount of $75,000 and adjourned the matter to March 7 for statements.
