Accused quack doctor finally gets bail

WESTERN BUREAU:

England McCrane, the woman who allegedly conned residents of western Jamaica out of hundreds of thousands of dollars while pretending to be a certified doctor, was on Wednesday offered bail in the sum of J$1 million when she appeared in the St James Parish Court.

As part of her bail conditions, she is to report to the police three times per week. She has also been given a blanket curfew order to be at home between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

McCrane, who also used the names ‘Alicia England’ and ‘Dr McCrane’, has been in police custody since her arrest in March. She was denied bail on several previous court appearances because of uncertainty surrounding her true identity.

However, during yesterday’s bail hearing before presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small, the accused woman’s lawyer, attorney-at-law Martyn Thomas, pointed out that McCrane’s birth certificate was attached to her deed poll – a legal document that allows a person to assume a new name. Thomas also told the court that the deed poll was in the custody of the police.

McCrane was arrested and charged on March 6 after she was reportedly found posing as a medical doctor in western Jamaica. She was charged with several offences, including forgery, uttering forged documents, obtaining money by false pretence, and breaches of the Medical Act.

Following McCrane’s arrest, the Medical Association of Jamaica issued an advisory warning the public to do their due diligence and make checks if they suspect that individuals are not legitimate members of the medical profession. The police also issued an advisory asking persons who may have been treated by McCrane to contact the authorities.