Gold purchase lands farmer on fraud charge

A farmer was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $120,000 on a charge of false pretence, stemming from a gold purchase he made.

Laurie Amsterdam, 50, appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It was alleged that between July 11 and July 14, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained from Marcia Pestano the sum of $10,779,630 for the purchase of 1,867.5 pennyweight of 12 carat gold jewellery, knowing that the said gold jewellery was below eight carat.

The defendant was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

After being granted bail, Amsterdam was told to return to Court 1 on October 11 for a report.