Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town

A man who is accused of collecting monies from students at the Spanish Town Primary School after tricking them that he would buy shoes for them, recently told the court that he only did so because he is not working and loves to be around kids.

Damian Palmer, 29, was charged with obtaining money by false pretence by investigating officer Michael Garnet, of the Spanish Town Police Station.

On May 22, Palmer is said to have gone to the school at about 12:00 p.m. where he told students that he was a parent and that he was collecting money to purchase shoes for them.

Seven students gave him a total of $105 before he was accosted by the security personnel and men from the surrounding area. He was chased to the Spanish Town Police Station by several students and teachers and a formal report was charged.

In the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court, Palmer begged RM Lorna Errar-Gayle to be lenient with him. However, having heard the allegations, and out of concern for the safety of Palmer, RM Errar-Gayle ordered that a relative, who accompanied him to court, should take him to get psychiatric treatment and that he should return to court on June 19.