A former Special Constable in the Guyana Police Force was charged yesterday with defrauding five persons of over $1.5 million by pretending that he could get them house lots.
A Georgetown court heard that Leon Wayne, 35, of Lot 638, Third Street, Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, carried out the scheme by stating that he was in the position to acquire house lots for them, though he knew this to be false.
The court also heard that he promised house lots at Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara, to most of the complainants.
It is alleged that he committed the crimes during the course of last year and between July 1st and October 31st this year.
During last year, the court was told, Wayne allegedly defrauded Samantha Evans of $560,000. On June 1st and October 31st, 2015, at Georgetown, Wayne also allegedly defrauded Eon Solomon of $200,000. It is also alleged that between September 1st and September 30th, 2015, at Robb Street, he defrauded Sheila Roberston of $400,000. It is further alleged that on July 1st and October 31st, 2015, at Georgetown, he defrauded Leon Solomon of $160,000, and on October 1st and October 31st, at Georgetown, he allegedly defrauded Quincy Mitchell of $263,000. In total, he allegedly conned the complainants out of $1,583,000.
Wayne pleaded not guilty to all five charges. According to Wayne’s lawyer, the man was taken aback by the accusations made against him. The lawyer went on to say that while Wayne may have had some encounters with the complainants, he never intended to defraud anyone. He also said that Wayne has made restitution to some of the complainants, although he did not accept that he fraudulently acquired the monies from them.
The prosecution made no objections to bail but asked that it be a substantial amount.
Wayne was subsequently granted bail to the sum of $100,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who adjourned the matters to January 6th, 2016, for statements.
