A Bartica resident was placed on a total of $170,000 bail when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with escaping from lawful custody and obtaining money by false pretence.

Paul McKenzie of 51 7th Avenue, Bartica pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him by the magistrate.  It is alleged that on May 12, he escaped from the police station while being in custody for allegedly committing a crime.  It is further alleged that on April 26 he obtained from Rampersaud the sum of $38,800 by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell gold to him.

Regarding the fraud charge, Rampersaud is alleged to have bought gold from Mc Kenzie but upon melting it  he discovered it to was fake.  He then reported the matter to the police and McKenzie was arrested.

He was placed on $100,000 and $70,000 bail for the escape from custody and the fraud charges respectively.  The matter was put down for June 9 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.