Man defrauds hotel of over $1m

No. 46 Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A Canadian resident who is alleged to have defrauded a hotel of over $1 million walks from the Montego Bay courtroom on Friday, January 22 a free man after a no order was made in the case against him.
   John Perry, 41, who was residing at Devon Road, Kingston at the time of the incident, was charged after he checked in at the Iberostar Hotel and left without paying for a portion of his service.
   He is answering to a charge of obtaining credit by means of false pretence.
When the matter came before the court on Thursday, January 21, Perry indicated to the judge that he intends to pay the balance owing and requested time.
   On Friday when the matter came back before the court, Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris opted to enter a no order after officials at the hotel decided not to pursue the matter.
   The hotel’s decision came after Perry indicated that he would pay for the service and had most of the money transferred to the hotel’s account.
   According to court records, on August 28, 2009, Perry checked in at the above- mentioned hotel for one day then extended his stay until November 6 and made payment for that period of stay.
   The accused man did not check out of the hotel on November 6 and while there he made two cheque payments for over $1.3 million to cover for the extended period November 7 to December 31.
   After the cheques were dishonoured by the bank, it was brought to Perry’s attention and he promised to make another payment, but failed to do so.
   The accused man then checked out of the hotel on January 15, 2010 without also making any further payment to cover up to that time.
   The matter was reported to the police and he was arrested the following day at the Doctor’s Cave Beach.