May 2017 trial for accused in 'grand fraud' at Manchester Parish Council

Tamara Bailey, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:
The prosecution in the 'grand fraud' at the Manchester Parish Council has been given more time to prepare its case for court.

The accused: deputy superintendent of roads and works at the Manchester Parish Council Sanjay Elliot, 31; carpenter Dwayne  Sibbles, 27, and temporary works overseer Kendale Roberts, 37,  appeared in court this morning.

The investigating officer asked for an additional three months before the matter goes to trial, saying several documents  and statements crucial to the case were outstanding.

IN PHOTO: The Manchester Parish Council

Instead, judge Dale Staple gave him six months, ordering that the matter should be ready for trial on May 17, 2017.

Staple said during that time he expects that all the relevant information will be collected, processed and disclosed to the defence.

According to Staple, it was nonsensical for the case to the drawn out for an unreasonably long period.

READ: 'Grand fraud' at Manchester Parish Council reaches $95 million

Elliot and his co-accused were charged in June following an operation by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.

As part of the operations, the Manchester Parish Council offices were raided as well as a house in Daley's Grove belonging to Elliot.

A number of items were seized including invoices, cheques, phones and laptops.