Borrowed baby used for cash

Two women who allegedly conspired to use a child belonging to one of them as a tool to secure money from the boyfriend of the other caused quite a stir when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Jacqueline Thompson and Nadine Appleby are both charged with conspiracy, while Thompson is charged with child stealing.

The court was told that Appleby and Thompson hatched a plan involving the use of Appleby's one-year-old son. Thompson had reportedly lost her child and the two agreed that she would pretend that Appleby's son was hers, so she could get money from her child's father.

It is alleged that Thompson took the child from Appleby some days ago and failed to return him. Appleby reportedly called the police and reported the child missing. The plot was discovered when the police began their investigations.

When Thompson was asked by RM Glen Brown where the child was, she told the court that the baby was in Old Harbour. She, however, said she did not know the address. After being further questioned, she revealed that the child was with her 'babyfather'.

The investigating officer told the court that Thompson had refused to comply and had not provided her with much information about the child's whereabouts. Thompson, however, provided the information after being ordered to do so by RM Brown.

Appleby was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 in her own surety, and was ordered by RM Gayle to accompany the officer in her search for the child.