An unemployed youth was yesterday sentenced to two years behind bars after he admitted to charges of obtaining money by fraud and escaping from police custody.
It was alleged that Kevin Campbell, 20, with intent to defraud, obtained $150,000 from Vijay Rampersaud by falsely pretending to be employed at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and that he was in a position to deliver a Toyota Primo vehicle to him, on March 7th, at the GRA on Camp Street.
The second charge started that on March 8th, at GRA, Camp Street, with intent to defraud, the accused obtained $300,000 from Nalini Rampersaud by falsely pretending to be employed at GRA and that he was in a position to deliver a Toyota Primo vehicle to her.
The final charge stated that on July 3rd, at Robb and King streets, while in lawful custody for obtaining money by false pretence, Campbell escaped from the said custody.
Campbell pleaded guilty to the charges after they were read by Magistrate Clive Nurse.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield said in January, Vijay made contact with the defendant and told him that he was interested in purchasing a car. The defendant then told Vijay that he was employed at GRA and was in a position to sell him a Toyota Primo, which had been seized by GRA. On March 7th, the prosecutor added, Vijay met the defendant at GRA and handed to him $150,000 as payment towards the car. The following day the second complainant, Nalini, met the defendant once again at GRA and handed him $300,000 as part payment towards the car. Upon receiving the monies, Campbell went away and failed to deliver the car to the complainants.
The matters were then reported and on July 3rd the defendant was arrested by police ranks at Leonora. On the said date, while in police custody and in a police vehicle, which was transporting him, Campbell, while in the vicinity of Robb and King streets, jumped out of the vehicle when it came to a stop and escaped. On August 30th, Campbell was apprehended by police and later charged.
Prior to sentencing, Campbell heard from the magistrate that he took into consideration the fact that the accused was never charged before, that he did not waste the court’s time, the seriousness of the offence, its prevalence, the fact that he showed no remorse and gave no apology, and the fact that the funds were not returned to the complainants.
He was then sentenced to two years for each charge of the obtaining money by false pretence and a year for escaping custody. These offences are expected to run concurrently.
