The commencement of the trial of the former public service minister Dr Jennifer Westford and ex-ministry personnel officer Margaret Cummings on charges of forgery and the attempted larceny of state vehicles, has been delayed once again pending a decision by the High Court.
During yesterday’s proceedings before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, attorney Dexter Todd told the court that the defence is still awaiting a date for continuation. Todd did not disclose much to the court because of the presence of the media. An adjournment date was soon requested by the defence.
The magistrate subsequently set September 26 as the next date for a report.
The charges against Westford allege that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, while being employed as a public servant by the Government of Guyana, she attempted to transfer several government owned vehicles to herself and others.
These persons included her husband, Gary Beaton, as well as Wayne Walker and Delroy Lewis. Cummings, meanwhile, was charged with forging several receipts to show that the vehicles were purchased by Beaton, Walker, Lewis and Westford between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015.
Both women have pleaded not guilty.
