A Colombian man, who admitted to entering the country illegally, was remanded to prison yesterday in order for him to undergo psychiatric and medical evaluations prior to his sentencing for the crime.
Jose Valencia, 32, pleaded guilty to the charge that on October 22nd, 2018, at Central Lethem, he entered Guyana by crossing a land frontier and did not present himself to the nearest Immigration Office.
Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss reported to acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus that that on January 19th, ranks from the Rose Hall Police Station came into contact with Valencia and asked him to provide his passport. Valencia at that time told the officers that his passport was stolen. He was then taken to the Eve Leary Police Station, where they conducted an investigation. Later, based upon their findings, Valencia was arrested.
Valencia, who appeared frail, then admitted that what the prosecutor had said was true. He further added that around 11 hours on October 22nd, he rode over the Takutu Bridge on a bicycle. He claimed there was no one at the immigration office, no security, no lights and as a result he just continued on his way. He also claimed that he later walked to Georgetown.
It was also said that while in custody at the Brickdam Police Station, Valencia told the translator that he didn’t want to go back to Colombia because he has no relatives or friends there and would rather stay in Guyana to face whatever consequence await him.
Valencia was subsequently remanded to prison to undergo psychiatric and medical evaluations and he is to return to court on February 12th for sentencing.
