(Trinidad Express) A SENIOR magistrate has made reference to the seriousness of the allegation against the four men, including two police officers, charged with the kidnapping of housewife Natalie Pollonais for ransom.
Attorneys for police constables Ian Dwarika and Shaundelle Euin, welder Gregory James and contractor Shain Steven petitioned the court for bail for their clients before San Fernando Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine yesterday.
All face the September 6 kidnapping for ransom allegation while Steven faces an additional charge of pursuing a ransom by negotiating for the release of a kidnapped person.
They were charged by ASP Peter Ramdeen.
Attorney Shiva Boodoo represented Dwarika, 44, while attorney Carl Mattis represented Euin, 24, both of whom were last attached to the La Romaine police post.
Attorneys Indira Binda and Shodan Mahabir were the lawyers for Steven, 37, a building contractor of Princes Town. The three men and James, 50, a welder of La Brea, were not present in court for the matter. The attorneys asked for bail for them.
However, Antoine said: “The seriousness of the allegation to have taken place is what is bearing on the court’s mind.”
She also said that although the men were willing to surrender their passports, “the court has to bear in mind the porous nature of borders of the country”.
She said she was looking at it in “a holistic manner”.
Antoine denied the men bail and set an adjournment date of December 5. They were advised that they could apply to a judge in chamber for bail.
In the past, Binda petitioned a High Court judge for bail for Steven but the request was denied.
