by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON

THE HIGH COURT has frozen the assets of three people accused of stealing nearly a million dollars from the National Insurance Department.

In addition, the department is looking at possibly charging others, as it has discovered $1 million more missing from the fund.

However, attorneys from the department have been given until next week Friday to proffer new charges against the three or against other people, as the two accused who remain in custody may go home if they raise bail.

Attorney for the department, Michael Taylor, yesterday revealed that the department had secured an injunction from the High Court – out of an ex parte application – freezing the assets of former department accounts clerk Caroline Priscilla Scantlebury, 33; her husband Kelvin Sylvester Scantlebury, 37, and Renée Greenidge-Rouse, 34.

The Scantleburys, of Turners Hall, St Andrew, and Greenidge-Rouse, of Chimborazo, St Joseph, have been accused of stealing $800 000 from the department. The Scantleburys are on remand, while Greenidge-Rouse is out on bail.

The department's attorney, who appeared with attorney Andrew Willoughby in the Bridgetown Traffic Court yesterday, said a further $1 million was also discovered missing and investigations were still at "a very delicate stage".

"There will be other people who will be joined to the proceedings and that will have the effect of having other people charged," he said.

He further asked the court to hold the Scantleburys in jail for another "two [to] three weeks".

However, attorney for the accused, Angella Mitchell-Gittens, took issue with the application for further remand.

She said the Scantleburys, who were parents of small children, had already spent the last two months in jail.

"Their assets have been seized. Their assets continue to be seized. When will this end?" she asked. She submitted that since the accused had been on remand no further charges had been brought against them – "not even for a cent".

"They are no flight risks; their passports are in custody. I don't think it is fair for the attorney to come and ask for more time in custody," said Mitchell-Gittens.

Magistrate Christopher Birch later told Taylor: "I heard you say two [to] three weeks. You have ten days. Next week Friday, they go home. But they are each going to have to get their resources together because bail is going to be $1 million – $500 000 with two sureties."

He then adjourned the matter until February 22.