Two persons who allegedly conned a woman out of $60,000 by telling her that they could secure a genuine passport for her, appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Ivor Howard, 43, of 563 Monroe Street, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara and Surojanie Persaud, 44, of 171 Fourth Street, Alexander Village were not required to plead to a joint charge of obtaining money by false pretence and Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle released them on $100,000 bail each.
The two defendants reportedly took the sum from Jasmattie Kalica some time between October 10 and 31 last year.
The two were represented by attorney-at-law Mark Waldron and attorney-at-law Nigel Anthony also entered an appearance for Howard.
Waldron, in his submissions for Persaud, told the court that she is a mother of three, two of whom are still minors. He said that the woman owns a catering business, which she operates from her home. Prior to this incident, he said, his client had never been arrested.
Meanwhile, the defence counsel informed the court that Howard is a transportation contractor attached to GT&T. The lawyer told the court that his client and his wife have several vehicles, which they have contracted to the company. He said that the couple had been doing this for over ten years.
Waldron submitted to the court that the offence for which his clients were charged is a bailable one. He said Howard was in custody since last Tuesday afternoon while Persaud was arrested on Thursday. “The investigating ranks had more than 72 hours to conduct their investigations into this matter.”
He stated that there were plans to go to the High Court if his clients were not brought to court yesterday.
Meanwhile, police prosecutor Desrie Fowler said a third party will soon be arrested. She told the court that the offence was a serious one and was also prevalent.
Fowler, in objecting to bail, also stated that if the defendants were given their pre-trial liberty, there was the possibility they would tamper with the third defendant.
However, the magistrate did not fully agree with the prosecution’s grounds for objection and granted the duo bail.
The matter continues in Court One on March 1.
