A fisherman, who a city court heard had misappropriated a quantity of cash was yesterday released on $40,000 bail during his arraignment.
Seepaul Nateram, 31, of 132 First Street, Mocha, told Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry that he was not guilty after the charge was read to him at the Georgetown Magistratesโ Court 1.
The charge stated that on April 7, at Houston, East Bank Demerara, Nateram was solely entrusted with $190,000 by Dharmendra Dhanno to buy groceries but he applied the money to his own use and benefit. Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat made an application for bail to be granted in a reasonable sum. The attorney said the defendant has a fixed place of abode and he does not pose a risk of flight.
The boat captain who is also a fisherman is very poor and has to maintain his wife and three children, Fung-A-Fat added, as he further explained that his client cannot afford more than $40,000 for bail.
There was no objection to bail by Prosecutor Gonzales and it was then set at $40,000. The matter was transferred to Court 11 and will be called again on April 29.
