A BUS conductor appeared in court on Thursday, facing 12 charges of forgery, conspiracy and uttering forged documents.
Augustus Raymond John, 21, of Lot 174 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty, before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to having: * on October 15, with intent to defraud, endeavoured to obtain, from Isaacs Investment, six laptops and 12 iPods valued a total of $1.7M, upon or by virtue of a forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing that to be false;
* on the same day, with intent to defraud, issued, to Anthony Sarju, a forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on the said day, conspired together with persons unknown to forge one Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on the same day, he endeavoured to obtain, from David Persaud, a quantity of zinc sheets and paint, valued a total $212,080, upon or by virtue of a forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it was false;
* on October 10, he uttered, to Claudette Smith, one forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on September 19, with intent to defraud, he endeavoured to obtain, from Global Technology Inc., four Apple iPods valued $789,480, upon or by virtue of a forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing that was false;
* on the same day, he uttered, to Lisa Foster, one forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was  signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on the said day, too, he conspired together with persons unknown to forge one Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on September 20, he endeavoured to obtain, from Global Technology Inc., 12 Apple iPods, valued a total of $2.1M, upon or by virtue of a forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false;
* on the said day, he uttered, to Lisa Foster, one forged Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false and
* the same day, conspired together with persons unknown to forge one Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing that to be false.

JOINTLY CHARGED 
John was also jointly charged with Michael Boodhoo, 52, of Lot 106 James Street, Albouystown, in Georgetown, as well, with having, on October 10, intending to defraud, conspired together and with other persons unknown to forge one Citizen Bank cheque, purporting to show that it was signed by Horace Williams, knowing it to be false.
Boodhoo, a taxi driver, pleaded not guilty to the joint charge while John entered a similar plea to those against him.
The defendants were both represented by defence counsel, Paul Fung-a-Fat, who made a successful bail application.
The lawyer said the men were never placed on an identification parade and there is no evidence against them.  
Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick, prosecuting, had no objection to the grant of pre-trial freedom but asked that the surety be substantial and that the men lodge their passports and report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday at 08:00 hrs.
Isaacs, who is one of the virtual complainants and was in the courtroom, alleged that the defendants are going around robbing business persons with forged cheques.
He said he, himself, investigated the allegation and found out that, during a period of two months, the duo have robbed persons of more than $50M.
Isaacs said bail should not be given the defendants because he is of the view that they will continue on their robbing spree and more individuals are expected to come forward with charges against them.
Isaacs expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the prosecution handled the case, as John was put on $1M bail for all the charges and Boodhoo was ordered to post $125,000.
The cases will be called, again, on November 29, when the prosecution has to file statements.
Meantime, the men are expected to report at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday at 08:00hrs.  
Boodhoo’s passport was lodged with the police but John claimed he is not the holder of a travel document.