A logger was yesterday charged with duping two men of nearly $700,000 by failing to deliver promised wood to them.
Everton Monteque, 49, of 263 Independence Boulevard, had allegedly promised Terrance Persaud and Steve Ollivere, in July 2013, that he would supply and deliver the fruit of his labour to them, earned from logging in the Mabura area.
According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, Persaud hired Monteque on July 2 to take wood
to his under-construction home in Better Hope. An agreement was struck between the men and Persaud paid Monteque $400,000 in advance.
On July 3, Jones added, Ollivere paid $250,000 to the defendant for the delivery of wood to his home in Sophia.
However, Monteque failed to deliver the promised wood to either man’s homes and the matter was subsequently reported.
Monteque pleaded not guilty when the two charges were read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Prosecutor Jones raised no objections to bail; however, he requested that it be set in a substantial amount and on the condition that Monteque lodge his passport and report to an assigned police rank regularly.
Magistrate McLennan acceded to the prosecutor’s requests and granted the defendant bail in the sum of $150,000 on each charge. He was also ordered to report each week to the Brickdam Police Station. He is set to make another appearance on April 3 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
