A couple yesterday appear-ed before a city court on a charge that they defrauded a supplier of over half a million worth of groceries.
Cleva France, 31, and John Freeman, 37, of 214 Middle Road, La Peni-tence, pleaded not guilty to the charge that on July 14, at Bourda, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they obtained a quantity of groceries, worth $543,200 from Basdeo Jodha, on the claim that they would pay triple the amount of the cost for the goods, knowing same to be false.
Attorney Clyde Forde, who represented France and Freeman, told Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that his clients would usually take groceries from Georgetown to Port Kaituma to sell. However, he said that after obtaining the groceries, France and Freeman ran into some problems during the transportation and the produce was spoiled.
Forde told the court that his clients had explained this to Jodha but he took them to court anyway. The lawyer maintained that his clients, who live together, are not a flight risk and would make themselves available for future court proceedings.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, however, maintained that France and Freeman stole the groceries and converted the money for their own use and benefit.
He had no objection to them receiving bail but he asked that a few conditions be attached.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently set bail for the defendants at $25,000 each on the charge and adjourned the case until October 28.
