A policeman with nine years' service in the force has been jailed for four months for stealing $140,000 from his friend.

He is 28-year-old Constable Maurice Taylor, who was convicted in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court of simple larceny.

The Crown led evidence before Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry on April 22 that, on February 7 last year, Taylor stole $140,000 from Rohan Williams.

Williams testified that he and Taylor travelled in his motor car to Greenwood, St James. He said while they were in the motor car, he showed Taylor $140,000 which he had in the glove compartment to purchase another vehicle.

They stopped at a restaurant and bar in Greenwood for refreshments. After they had been there for some time, Taylor borrowed the key for the motor car and said he was going to get clothes he had in the vehicle.

Williams said after the key was returned, he went to his motor car where he saw the front passenger door open and his money missing. He accused Taylor of taking his money and reported the matter to the police.

No-case submission

Attorney-at-law Sheron Barnes, made a no-case submission on the grounds that the case was purely circumstantial.

She argued that the evidence did not point to Taylor's guilt.

The RM disagreed and said Taylor should answer to the charge.

In his defence Taylor, who was stationed at the Falmouth police station at the time of the incident, denied taking the money. He said he borrowed the keys but that he he locked the motorcar and returned the key to Williams.