–double jeopardy cited
ALBION Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh reprimanded and discharged two Guyana Power and Light (GPL) customers, after it was observed that although they had cleared their respective accounts and were fined by the utility company, they were still brought to face the court.Attorney-at-law, Ryan Crawford, who represented the duo, informed the court that GPL cannot fine their customers for an offence and still take the consumers to court.

“It’s double jeopardy. It’s because (GPL) are the only electricity provider, so whatever they decide, the consumer has to pay, or be without electricity,” Crawford submitted.

On February 2 at Number 1 Road, Corentyne, GPL officials went to the home of Budranine Surattan, where they carried out routine checks on his meter. According to Surattan, the outer seal of the meter was intact, but when the said meter was opened, the inspector claimed that it had been tampered. The defendant, being a businessman who relies heavily on electricity to manage his business, reportedly did not argue with the inspectors, but quickly complied by paying the required fine.

The other defendant, William Naidu of Hampshire, informed the court that he was also fined by the utility company, and had entered an agreement with the company to make monthly payments. Both defendants advanced documents to support their claim.

Particulars of the offence stated that on February 2, 2014, the defendants fraudulently obstructed electricity supplied by GPL in order to divert same to their respective homes.