After schoolboy killing protest…
PARDONED treason accused, political activist Mark Benschop has been charged with obstructing and resisting a peace officer, following an incident during the Georgetown protest, on Thursday, over the killing of schoolboy Kelvin Fraser. The defendant appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday and pleaded not guilty to both charges, which alleged that, on June 10, in Brickdam, he obstructed and resisted Winston Watts, a Police Officer acting in execution of his duty.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Robert Corbin, representing him, declared he is surprised that Benschop was prosecuted for being part of a peaceful protest.
The lawyer said Benschop intends to vigorously defend his innocence.
But the virtual complainant told the Court he was on duty in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he arrested a truck driver and the defendant prevented him from taking the man into custody.
Corbin said he was happy to hear Watts relate exactly what happened because the truck driver who transported some protesting children had been arrested for breach of insurance and the virtual complainant re-arrested the man.
Defence Counsel said Benschop and the schoolchildren went to the Police Station to enquire why the driver was re-arrested but Benschop alone has been charged.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, reported that the defendant is already before the Court on charges of a similar nature.
Benschop was ordered to post $15,000 bail on the obstruction charge and released on his own recognisance on the other.
The cases will be called, again, on July 30.
$5M fraud defendant refused bail
DANIEL Persaud, 42, of Lot 2191 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was yesterday remanded to prison on a fraudulent conversion charge.
He appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson and pleaded not guilty to having been solely entrusted with $5M by Wooed Phillips, on June16, 2009, to purchase twenty-six 40 feet containers, he fraudulently converted the sum to his own use and benefit.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, successfully objected to bail for the defendant, stating that Police had a difficult task in locating him.
The Prosecutor said, after Persaud received the money from the virtual complainant, he quit his job at AINLIM but admitted that he used the money to build a house.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Rexford Jackson, for the Defence, claimed the defendant is suffering from a medical condition and would not receive proper treatment if incarcerated.
The lawyer contended that Persaud had a contractual agreement with the virtual complainant and it is a civil matter.
Phillips said he met the defendant when the latter was employed at AINLIM as a sales representative and, after paying the $5M to buy the containers, several failed arrangements were made to have them delivered or for him to get a refund.
Persaud has to be back in Court on June 18.
Another fraud defendant, Cheddie Bacchus, 23, of Lot 28 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, suffered the same fate as Persaud and will remain a prisoner on remand through June 23.
Bacchus pleaded not guilty to having, last April 4, robbed Olden Mc Curdy of a $20,000 cellular phone, $10,000 cash and a motor car, valued $1.5M, property of Dale Mendonca.
The victim said he was about to enter the vehicle when the defendant placed an object behind his back, went into the vehicle and drove away.
Telford informed that Bacchus was shot on his left foot during a high speed chase to effect his arrest.
But he was not attending Court and a warrant was issued for him while he continued to commit other offences.