A Smith's man accused of swindling $129,400 from a well known cricketer yesterday changed his plea to guilty just as his Supreme Court jury trial was set to begin.

Jonathan L. Ratteray, 20, of Sears Hill Road, initially pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of obtaining monies with intent to defraud.

He stood accused of scamming Ernest (Barry) DeCouto into giving him the money, delivered through a series of cheques for an "overseas emergency".

A seven-woman, five-man jury had been selected on Tuesday to consider the case.

Yesterday, however, Ratteray pleaded guilty to swindling $74,600 from Mr. DeCouto between September 2005 and January 2006, by having him deposit the funds into his Bank of Butterfield account.

Once deposited via cheque, Mr. DeCouto was told that a "Ms Santucci", a friend of Ratteray, had his debit card and would send the money to him to assist with Ratteray's "overseas emergency".

The prosecution, represented by Crown counsel Larissa Burgess, with the support of Crown counsel Robert Welling, yesterday said the Crown did not plan to pursue the remaining 16 counts against Ratteray but would keep them on file.

Meanwhile, Ratteray, currently out on bail, will be sentenced by Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves on October 1.

Mr. Justice Greaves ordered pre-sentencing reports on Ratteray after dismissing the jurors. Ratteray is represented by defence lawyer Victoria Pearman, aided by lawyer Charles Richardson.