A bus driver, who collected $800,000 from a woman after allegedly promising to purchase a vehicle for her, was on Monday released on $100,000 bail after telling the court that he will repay the woman.
Thirty-six-year-old Haybock Baggot, a bus driver of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, appeared virtually before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on February 16, 2021, at Brickdam, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $800,000 from Lasayee Howard to purchase a vehicle.
At the court hearing, Bernard DaSilva, Baggot’s lawyer, applied for reasonable bail but the Police Prosecutor objected on the grounds that the man gave a different address to the police. She further argued against bail because of the seriousness of the charge. However, DaSilva told the court that the man lives at the address he gave to the court, and according to counsel, Baggot was arrested at his home on Friday morning at 3 am, from the address in the court’s possession.
DaSilva also disclosed to the court that Baggot has made arrangements to settle the matter with Howard. Howard, who was present in the courtroom, denied ever making any arrangement with Baggot. Baggot then informed the court that he has already made arrangement for $200,000 to be repaid to Howard. After again denying this, Howard then informed the court that she is willing to settle the matter. Baggot was released on $100,000 bail and is expected to pay the entire $800,000 on February 21. The Magistrate advised that he bring along his receipt book to prove that he paid the $200,000 prior and the remainder to be paid on the stipulated date.
