Mom on fraud charges

She was granted bail on four of the seven charges laid against her.

Rose Maria Smith, also known as Rose Howai, appeared before Port-of-Spain 11th Court before Magistrate Cheron Raphael charged with stealing $453,840 and US$3,391 from seven people between 2010 and 2016. It is alleged that between July 2, 2015, and June 27, 2016, at Piarco she stole $33,415 from Marlon St Louis; between June 2016 and September 2016 at Maloney, she stole $24,595 from Kenwyn Lewis and between January 16, 2014, and April 22, 2014, at Arouca, she stole $74,400 from Vera Ramoutar.

Smith was not granted bail for these matters, which were transferred to the Arima Magistrates Court, to be heard on April 19. It is also alleged that from July 1, 2015, and February 4, 2016, in Port-of-Spain, she stole $25,000 from Trent Haynes; between June 6, 2014, and September 21, 2015, at San Juan, she stole $178,660 and US$3,391 from Lee Negorie; between March 13, 2014, and May 1, 2015, at San Juan, she stole $93,000 from Stephanie Lewis Dyer and between September 30, 2010, and March 12, 2013, at Port-of-Spain, she stole $24,770 from Majorie Victor.

Smith was granted $450,000 bail to cover the incidents which allegedly took place in Port-of-Spain and San Juan.

Her bail is to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace III and she has been ordered to report to the Arouca Police Station on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6 am and 6 pm.

She returns to the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on May 5.

Smith was arrested in the precincts of the Port-of-Spain High Court, court prosecutor Sgt Joseph Logan objected to bail being granted for fear that Smith might abscond.

The court also heard that Smith has a pending matter in the Arima Magistrates’ Court.

Smith’s attorney Herbert Charles told Magistrate Raphael his client’s husband is an IT manager at the NCRHA, her sister is a police officer and her brother a soldier.

He insisted that despite the contention of the police, Smith and her husband are not divorced and she is a teacher who taught police officers. PCs Murray, Lazarus, Kissoonsingh and Plante laid the charges.