The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net THREE men arraigned in Magistrate's Court yesterday in connection with defrauding a local bank of cash, one of them accused of more than $30,000 worth of fraud, were each granted $7,500 bail. Walter Wilmore, 34, 32-year-old Detric Munnings and 30-year-old Terrance Rolle, were initially given $10,000 bail by Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell of Court 8, Nassau Street. However, she informed the accused that the bail was subject to change if Magistrate Guilimina Archer, before whom the case will be tried, decides that the bond and conditions should be higher. The decision to reduce the bail for the three defendants arose from Ramona Seymour's inquiry as to whether or not suretors would be allowed to use a job letter for the initial bond, pointing out that the use of landpapers were an issue for a number of suretors who had mortgages. However, though the deputy chief magistrate noted that mortgages were never an issue for her court concerning bail, she reduced the bond to $7,500. Prosecution offered no objection to the defendants as they had no previous convictions or pending matters before the courts and as stated by their attorneys, Seymour and Glendon Rolle (for Wilmore), they were employed men and fathers who had families to take care of. Wayne Munroe, though absent, represents Munnings. The trio were arraigned yesterday afternoon on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, possessing and using forged documents and fraud by false pretences, all reportedly committed against Commonwealth Bank. It is alleged that all three defendants conspired to commit fraud between December 2, 2011 and February 1, 2012. Wilmore faced a separate charges of fraud by false pretences, possessing and using forged documents. It is claimed that he on December 2, used a fake Abaco Market Ltd job letter and salary deduction slip to obtain $14,767 from Commonwealth Bank, Cable Beach. It is further alleged that he, along with Munnings on January 4, used another forged job letter and salary deduction slip to obtain $10,526.56 from the Wulff Road branch of the same bank. Then on February 1, Wilmore and Rolle reportedly, using similar tactics to the previous, obtained $10,000 from the Wulff Road branch of the Bahamian owned bank. The three men denied all allegations against them and plead not guilty to the charges. They were granted $7,500 bail and ordered to report to the nearest police station to their home every Saturday evening before 6pm. Wilmore will report to the Elizabeth Estates station, Rolle to the Cable Beach branch and Munnings to the Grove Station. Deputy Chief Magistrate Bethell reminded the defendants that the conditions could change when they reappear in court before Magistrate Archer today at 10am to receive a date for trial.