A taxi driver was yesterday granted his release on bail after he denied fraudulently converting $200,000 belonging to a client to his own use and personal benefit.
Kurt Steele appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge which stated that between September 11 and September 17, at Georgetown, while being solely entrusted by Terrence Caesar with $200,000, in order to deliver to Diana Rosheuvel, he converted the money to his own use and benefit.
Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, who represented Steele, made a bail application for his client, whom he said is a father of ten children. Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client, who usually collects monies from Caesar, collected $280,000, of which $80,000 was his. The lawyer said that a woman subsequently stole the money from his client and was charged and sentenced to 18 months in jail for her crime. However, Fung-A-Fat said the charge against his client stemmed from the fact that Caesar mistakenly believes that the woman and his client were working together.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers had no objection to Steele being granted bail, which the Chief Magistrate subsequently set at $15,000. The case has been adjourned until November 7, when it will be called at Court 12.
