MAGISTRATE Adela Nagamootoo last Monday dismissed a case of aiding and abetting a prisoner to escape after the prosecution had failed to present its witness to support the claim that had resulted in a joint charge being instituted against Assistant Superintendent Charles Roberts of the New Amsterdam Town Constabulary and Prison Officer Orlando Jaundoo of the New Amsterdam Prison Service. The prosecution had contended that, on June 4, 2011, the defendants had aided and abetted convicted prisoner Krishna Paul Doerga to escape from the New Amsterdam Prisons. On the day in question, at approximately 13:30hrs, Prison Officer, Orlando Jaundoo allegedly escorted Krishna Paul Doerga, who was convicted on a charge of obtaining by false pretence, to the recreation centre on the pretext of having him repair a sewing machine. But instead of repairing any machine, the officer and the prisoner travelled via vehicle to Springlands, where the prisoner said he had a document to sign.

On their arrival at the Corentyne location, Doerga is alleged to have urged the officer to cross the border with him in order that he might sign another document; but on arrival in Nickerie, Suriname, the prisoner hired a car and took his leave of the officer.
In the ensuing scuffle, the taxi driver took his two passengers to the nearest police station, where the matter was reported.

Following Jaundoo’s court appearance, sleuths continued their investigations and Roberts was subsequently detained for having assisted in providing transportation for Jaundoo and Doerga to travel to Springlands.

In the initial court hearing, Attorney-at-law, Kim Kyte John, representing Jaundoo, had said her client was instructed to take the prisoner to the Prison Annexe to fix a sewing machine, after which force and violence were used on him to take the prisoner to Springlands and subsequently to Nickerie, Suriname.

“Your Worship, as soon as possible, my client reported the incident to the police in Nickerie,” Ms Kyte John had submitted.

After the criminal charges had been instituted, both men had sought employment at other agencies. Roberts has since initiated a civil lawsuit against the New Amsterdam Municipal Council for wrongful dismissal.