A former policewoman will be spending the next year and a half behind bars after she was found guilty of attempting to obtain almost $500,000 by forging the signature of acting Chief Justice Ian Chang.
Ann Small, 59, of Lot 228 South Sophia, who had been a member of the Guyana Police Force for 13 years, was handed two 18-month sentences by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 2. The sentences will run concurrently.
Small was tried for two charges.
It was alleged that between November 1st, 2012 and February 28th, 2013, Small obtained from Chandrawatie Sahadeo $480,000 by presenting the woman with a document purportedly signed by Justice Chang. The second charge stated that Small forged a document on April 7th, 2013, allegedly signed by Justice Chang, with intent to defraud.
The police’s case was that Small, a special constable who was stationed at the High Court, approached Sahadeo who had a matter at the court and promised to get it dismissed for $500,000. Small agreed to receive $480,000 from Sahadeo after the woman said that it was all she could afford.
The magistrate informed Small that after the court considered the testimony of all the witnesses, it was satisfied that they were credible and she found no reason to disbelieve them. Small was informed that the case against her was made out beyond a reasonable doubt and she was found guilty of the two charges. Small’s attorney begged the magistrate to be lenient in handing down the sentences and consider the fact that the woman was already punished by not being able to benefit from her gratuity. The attorney also pointed out that it was her first conviction.
