Proprietor of Sanjay’s Jewellery Bishnarine Persaud was yesterday placed on $1.5M bail after being charged with causing the death of a man by dangerous driving.
The allegation against Persaud, 43, called ‘Sanjay,’ is that on September 11, at Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, he drove motor car PKK 5501 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Leon Hunte.
Persaud pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by city magistrate Judy Latchman.
No facts other than those mentioned in the charge were presented to the court.
Hunte, 53, of Stone Avenue, Blygezight had been heading home on his bicycle along Lamaha Street, Newtown when he was hit by the car being driven by Persaud at around 1:30am Thursday morning.
In a bail application for Persaud, attorney Glenn Hanoman told the court that his client had been offering support to Hunte’s family.
According to Hanoman, Persaud has been assisting the family financially with funeral arrangements for Hunte.
He added that Persaud had also sustained injuries in the accident but took self-discharge from hospital as soon as it was possible for him to do so, after which he presented himself to the police to assist with the investigation.
Bail was initially set at $2M but Hanoman requested a reduction, while noting that other courts have set lower amounts for similar charges. He asked the court to also take into consideration the fact that Persaud had already been expending funds to assist the family of the deceased.
The father of two was then placed on $1.5M bail, to which the prosecution had no objections.
The case was adjourned until October 3rd, when statements are expected to be filed.
Hunte, who had been mute from birth, was a handyman with the City Hall for more than two decades. He had been on short leave from work at the time of the accident in order to celebrate his upcoming birthday.
