Fisherman Noel Abrams was yesterday refused bail by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of fraudulent conversion.
It is alleged that on June 20, 2010, Abrams, 66, was entrusted with one 40 hp Yamaha outboard engine worth $840,000 by Isranie Sookram, to work and return, but he fraudulently converted it to his own use.
According to Police Corporal Venetta Pindar, Abrams is known to Sookram as they conducted business together. Pindar said on June 20, last year, Abrams approached Sookram and requested the use of the boat and she consented and entrusted him with two 40 hp engine boats. The accused was supposed to return the items within a month but did not.
Sookram subsequently received information that Abrams was operating the boat in Venezuela. The court heard that acting on this information, Sookram went to Venezuela, contacted Abrams, who informed that one of the engines was damaged. As a result, only one of the outboard engines was returned Sookram.
When prompted, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the accused does not reside in Guyana and if released he might attempt to escape.
However, Abrams’ lawyer said that when in Georgetown, his client resides at 1015 Section C, Block Y Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, while his home address was Itabru. The attorney said further that he and his client were informed that if the engines were in Georgetown by today, the matter would be withdrawn.
After reporting at length what he was informed by the defendant’s sister yesterday morning, the attorney was told by the magistrate to get his facts straight as he appeared to be misleading the court. The matter was then adjourned until April 14 and the accused was refused bail.
