A certified electrician accused of stealing electricity from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated was yesterday placed on self-bail when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on July 17 at Georgetown, Randolph Stewart, 46, of 89 Section C Enterprise, East Coast Demerara fraudulently allowed electricity to be diverted to his house without being the holder of a meter.
Stewart pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraudulently diverting electricity when it was read to him by the acting chief magistrate.
When given a chance to respond, Stewart told the court that the allegation arose after being contacted by someone to build a meter circuit.
In his defence, he argued that it was not at his premises that the charge arose. He denied ever being involved in any wrongdoing. He explained that a piece of wire had been dropped across a service wire but was not connected.
“There was no attempt to utilise GPL power,” Stewart said.
The defendant was later placed on his own recognisance and ordered to return to court on July 23.