Two men were yesterday placed on $250,000 bail each over the allegation that they had fraudulently obtained four flasks of mercury.
According to the charge against Richard Shew and Aaron Gardner, on April 2, at University Gardens, Cummings Lodge, with intent to commit fraud, they obtained four flasks of mercury valued at $4M from Rawle Edwards. The substance is the property of Alfonso and Sons and the court was told that the two accused stated to Edwards that they were sent by Androne Alfonso.
When the case was called before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Prosecutor Stephen Telford explained that Shew and Gardner work with Alfonso. On the day in question, they went to the staff, saying that they were sent to uplift the mercury. The court heard that the items were handed over to the two defendants. Subsequently, a report was made about the stolen items, and the two men were arrested and charged.
One of the men’s attorneys, in an application for bail, stated that on the day in question his client picked up another member of staff, went to the manager’s office and uplifted the flasks. A call was subsequently made and they went straight back to the office, taking the flasks of mercury with them.
Shew and Gardner were placed on bail and the matter was transferred to the Sparen-daam Magistrates’ Court for April 11.
