By Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine

A man who stole his wife's school certificate found himself paying fines of $240,000 or six months hard labour after he pleaded guilty to forgery with intent.

The man, Rohan Kahai Jr., told Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar Gayle that he is guilty of stealing his wife's certificates from the University of Cambridge, the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology and forged them with his signature.

He added, however, that he had not used the documents to gain employment. He also told the court that he had no profession.

Arresting officer, Jason McKay, of the Portmore police station, told the court that on January 25, a police party conducted a raid on Kahai's residence when forged signatures were seen on the certificates. He was quizzed by the police and he admitted that he was not the owner of the documents. As a result he was charged.

During his appearance, the RM told the accused that the offence was serious and the fines will have to reflect this. She subsequently fined him $80,000 on each of the three counts.