A Cuban national appeared in a city court yesterday where he was fined $20,000 after being charged with overstaying his time.
Louis Hernandez Rosales, 25, was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and read the charge which stated that between April 30 and May 16, in Georgetown, having been permitted to stay in Guyana from March 30 to April 29, he overstayed.
With the aid of an interpreter, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge read.
According to the prosecution, the defendant came to Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and was granted a month’s stay. It was further stated that the police, acting on information, went to Charlotte Street and Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive to conduct raids.
It was at this time, according to the prosecution, that the police made contact with the defendant and after checking his passport it was observed that he had overstayed his time.
The defendant was then taken to the Criminal Investigation Department and charges were subsequently filed.
When questioned by the magistrate as to why he overstayed his time, the defendant said through the interpreter that he was working here and sending money home to his family.
However, when asked where he worked the defendant did not give a place in Guyana but rather in Cuba where he said he was a computer technician.
It was further highlighted that the defendant is without a work permit and now has to purchase another ticket as the date has passed for the one he previously had.
The defendant was subsequently ordered by the Chief Magistrate to pay a fine of $20,000 or serve three weeks imprisonment.
