Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

Less than three months after fraud charges were dismissed against him, 39-year-old Andrew Clarke of Ironshore in St. James was again before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court to answer to similar charges.

Clarke pleaded not guilty to obtaining money by false pretence and three counts of fraudulent conversion on Wednesday. He is in the process of retaining legal representation.

"It appears that Mr. Clarke is a professional con man," com-mented RM Winsome Henry, who had presided over the first matter.

She ordered him to give his fingerprints to the police and remanded him in custody until October 24.

Allegations are that Clarke met the complainant's boyfriend while he was incarcerated on his previous charge. The men became friends and upon Clarke's release, he was provided with a number for the complainant.

On July 13, he allegedly called the woman and told her that he was the investigating officer in her boyfriend's case and said he knew that the man was being framed.

It is said that he also told her that he could assist her with getting money and clothes to her boyfriend and another relative in custody.

Between July 23 and August 16, she allegedly gave him $16,000 to hand over to her relatives. She also paid him $150,000 for a car he claimed that he was selling.

The complainant's boyfriend subsequently contacted her and revealed that he had met Clarke in custody and hat he had not been receiving the money she was giving him to deliver. As a result, the woman asked for her money.

Further allegations are that she saw the accused in items of her jewellery that she had left at her house while she was abroad in August. The police was alerted and Mr. Clarke was arrested and charged.

"Them want mi fi carry drugs go a foreign. Is a drug deal gone bad your honour," Clarke told RM Henry after hearing the allegations.

"Mi nuh bruk house. Me bigger dan that," he added.