Dear Editor,
Some months ago, I was in the Suddie court room when the presiding magistrate fixed ten thousand dollars bail for a well known character whose name and address were provided on a charge of rape.
The preliminary inquiry into this matter in which the victim is an Amerindian woman is yet to be concluded and this could well be verified from the court office records.
Last Monday (07-01-29) I appeared before the same magistrate to answer an indecent language charge as a first offender in my 52 years.
Having pleaded โnot guiltyโ to the office, I was astonished when the magistrate placed me on twenty thousand dollars bail although I am well known and have always confined my operations within the ambit of the law.
While I appreciate that bail is to ensure the appearance of the person charged, it is vitally important that the prevalence and the seriousness of the offence such as rape be taken into consideration.
From my personal view, the disparity in bail here is ridiculous and I am left to ponder that indecent language seems to be a more serious offence than rape.
Yours faithfully,
Ronald Samaroo
