A DIAMOND Housing Scheme taxi driver on Thursday was ordered to lodge $350,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore accused of fraud by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell a motor car.Thirty-four-year-old taxi driver Stayanand Persaud of Lot 1020 Section ‘A’ Block X, Diamond Housing, Scheme, East Bank of Demerara pleaded not guilty to the offence.
It is alleged that Persaud with intent to defraud and by falsely pretending that he was in position to sell a motor car, falsely obtained the sum of $ 1.1M from Paul Ramsarran between September 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013 at Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Deneashwar Maindranauth, prosecuting, said the defendant between the dates stated took the virtual complainant’s money and pretended to be in position to sell the motor vehicle but never delivered the car. He indicated that Persaud was in a relationship with Ramsarran’s sister and subsequently, removed from the address.
The prosecutor objected to pre-trial liberty for the defendant, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. He added that since the crime was committed, police made efforts on several occasions to contact Persaud at the Forshaw Street address but to no avail.
Maindranauth also objected on the grounds that Persaud may pose a flight risk since he gave contradicting address to the police, that is, Lot 1070 Section ‘A’ Block X Diamond Housing Scheme.
Attorney-at-law, Mr. Keavon Bess representing Persaud requested that he be admitted to bail in a reasonable sum. The lawyer said his client had turned himself over to the police and when he arrived at the police station he found the defendant handcuffed to a bench.
The prosecutor’s objection to bail was overruled and the case was put off until February 28 for report.
Written By Geeta Rampersaud