Former PPP Gov’t minister, ex-personnel officer granted bail over larceny
Former minister Jennifer Westford in Court yesterday
Former minister Jennifer Westford in Court yesterday

FORMER PPP/C Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford and Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings were yesterday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer larceny charges and were each granted bail. Dr. Westford, 54, of Lot 55 AA Victoria Avenue Eccles and 36-year-old Cummings of Lot 709 Section ‘A’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, both made their appearance before City Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charges laid against them separately.
The former minister answered to four counts of attempt to commit a felony, one of which said that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, Georgetown, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, she attempted to commit larceny, when she sought to have transferred motor vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 to the name of Wayne Walker, being the property of the Government of Guyana.
Another charge stated that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, in an attempt to commit larceny, Westford also sought to transfer motor vehicle PFF 1780 to the name of Delroy Lewis, being the property of the Government of Guyana.
Thirdly, Westford, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, attempted to commit larceny, that is she sought to transfer motor vehicle PJJ 3444 to her name.
She further denied that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, she also attempted to commit larceny in seeking to transfer motor vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 to the name of Gary Beaton.
Meanwhile, Cummings denied the four counts of forgery levelled against her. One of the charges said that between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PFF 1780 by Delroy Lewis.
It is also alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, she forged certain documents, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 by Wayne Walker.
It is further alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PJJ 3444 by Dr. Webster.
Lastly, Cummings was charged with forging certain documents, between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 by Gary Beaton.
The charges were indictable at first, but after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied, the charges became summary and both of them were required to plead. Both the former minister and the Chief Personnel Officer stood in the dock calmly and answered to the charges separately.
Westford and Cummings were both represented by attorneys-at-law Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd and Husi Anderson.
Defence counsel Chase requested that the former minister be placed on her own recognisance, stating that she has no priors and does not pose a flight risk. She further stated that Westford is married and is a medical doctor by profession.
Regarding Cummings, defence counsel Todd also requested bail in a reasonable sum, pleading that his client is a mother of two minor children. Todd further informed the court that Cummings is at present on administrative leave and has fully cooperated with the police during the investigations.
Westford was placed on $200,000 bail on each of the four charges while Cummings was granted $300,000 bail on each of the four charges.
The matters against both defendants were transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for August 10.

 

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