(Guyana Graphic October 14, 1970)
Magistrate Roopan Singh, after being urged to show leniency in meting out punishment for the last time before leaving the magistracy, yesterday imposed a fine of $126 on Harry Persaud who was found guilty of false pretence.Persaud who wept in court when convicted was also ordered to pay $79.58 costs with an alternative of three months imprisonment.
He was found guilty of obtaining $3.50 from aged Sylvanie Nugent after pretending that he was a medical doctor who could cure her.
The Magistrate overruled no case submissions by defense counsel and said he believed the victim’s story that Persaud gave her something to rub on her hands and face and posed as a doctor.
After Persaud admitted 20 previous convictions, the Magistrate said he was doubtful whether his lenience would be appreciated in this case.
But Counsel said that Persaud may have chalked up the convictions because he had not been treated with leniency before.