Court wants alleged fake doctor’s identity verified

WESTERN BUREAU: THE ST James Parish Court has ordered that the true identity of suspected quack doctor Alicia England be verified before her next court appearance on May 14.

England, who allegedly posed as a medical doctor under the names ‘England McCrane’ and ‘Dr McCrane’, is believed to have fleeced several unsuspecting persons out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Charged with forgery and breaches of the Medical Act, she made her first appearance before the Parish Court yesterday.

“We’re still waiting to learn what your client’s correct name is,” presiding Parish Judge Sandria Wong-Small said to England’s lawyer, Martyn Thomas, during yesterday’s proceedings.

“The deed poll (a legal document allowing a person to assume a new name) was handed over to the court in Kingston,” said Thomas. “She is to return to court in the Corporate Area on May 3. She entered a plea of guilty there.”

“What I want to know is her name now and I want it independently verified,” Wong-Small replied.

Thomas also made an application for the return of England’s cellular phone, which had been taken while she was in custody in Falmouth, Trelawny. “When she was in custody at Falmouth, her cell phone was taken from her, put in the prisoner property area, and was not returned to her. It has information on it that could help in her defence,” said Thomas.

“If you are able to speak to the authorities for the release of the phone, please do that,” WongSmall advised the investigating officer.

England was remanded until May 14, when she is expected to enter a plea, following her sentencing in Kingston on May 3.

In early March, England was arrested and charged after she was allegedly discovered posing as a medical doctor in western Jamaica without the requisite qualifications and licence.

Following her arrest, the Medical Association of Jamaica issued a warning to the public that persons should carry out their due diligence if they suspect individuals are posing as doctors.