A woman accused of being the host of a curfew-breaking house party held at Back Street, Dem Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was on Monday released on $10,000 bail after she pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Shondell Payne-Lewis, age 33, and unemployed, of Den Amstel made her appearance before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Court to answer to three charges.
She pleaded not guilty to hosting a social activity and was subsequently granted bail for the offence. Additionally, she pleaded guilty to failing to wear a face mask and was fined $5,000 and guilty to breach of curfew and was fined $10,000.
The matter was transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where it will be called again on March 8, 2021.
Meanwhile, two persons who had attended the party, also appeared before the court on Monday where they pleaded guilty to the offences read to them.
Wayne Bess, a 33-year-old labourer of Lot 2 Den Amstel and Quacy Lyte, age 19, and unemployed, of Lot 17 Den Amstel both pleaded guilty to failing to wear a face mask and were fined $5,000 each. The duo also pleaded guilty to breach of curfew and were each fined $10,000, and guilty to attending a social activity and fined $10,000 each.
The three were arrested on Sunday around 1:46 am in connection with breaching the COVID-19 restrictions. They were said to have been at a party that hosted about 350 persons.
