By Arthur Green, Star Writer

St. Thomas

A man who the police believe was deported from the United Kingdom is again coming up short as far as the law is concerned.

Patrick Bryant, 31, of a Leith Hall address in St. Thomas, has been brought before the court on six counts of conspiracy to defraud and collecting money under false pretence.

When Bryant appeared in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate's Court last Wednesday, he came face to face with his alleged 'clients' for the first time after he reportedly collected money from them through an intermediary who himself is co-defendant in the case.

The court was told that over a six-month period in 2005, a man placed an advertisement in a local publication for the sale of lands in excess of 30 hectares. Several persons made initial contact via telephone and arrangements were subsequently made to pay money to a bearer /associate.

After some time had passed, the prospective buyers were not hearing anything worthwhile on their deposits and were meeting up at the same place with similar concerns.

The police were subsequently informed and, following investigations, Bryant was arrested.

Bryant, who is yet to secure legal representation, has been remanded and is to return to court on November 2.