A husband and his wife accused of committing fraudulent acts were yesterday placed on bail to the tune of $340,000 when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Thirty-four-year-old Stephen Hartman Singh, a technician of 7 Johanna South, Black Bush Polder and 27-year-old Bibi Sheiniza Ally also of the said address, both pleaded not guilty to the joint charge of conspiracy to commit a felony when it was read to them.
The allegation is that between September 30 and November 3, with intent to defraud, Singh and Ally conspired with each other and with persons unknown to forge one birth certificate, property of Ryan Anthony Mangee knowing same to be forged.
Singh was further charged for the offences of uttering a forged document and giving false information for procuring a passport.
It is alleged that on November 3 at the US Embassy, Singh, with intent to defraud, presented to an official of the US Embassy, one certificate of birth in favour of himself, purporting to be Ryan Anthony Mangee, property of Ryan Anthony Mangee knowing same to be forged.
On May 9, 1997, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, for the purpose of procuring a Guyana Passport, the said Singh is alleged to have to have stated that he was Ryan Anthony Mangee, knowing same to be false.
Attorney-at-law Vic Puran who represented the defendants told the court that someone tricked his clients into what he termed a “genuine bogus.”
According to Puran, Singh’s uncle took him to the United States sometime ago to reside there with him but Singh never examined the documents and as a result was not aware that his uncle had used documents belonging to a Ryan Anthony Mangee instead of Singh’s.
The lawyer said that it was not until Singh returned to Guyana recently to have his documents renewed that he made the forgery discovery.
After stating that Ally was placed on station bail, Puran said that he will leave all other details for the trial at which they will vigorously oppose the charges.
He then made an application that his clients be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that they have no previous convictions, pose no risk of flight, have fixed addresses, and have been cooperating with police investigations.
The prosecution had no objection to the bail application made by the attorney.
The father of two was subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of $255,000 while Ally was placed on $85,000 bail.