MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty denied Ignatius Caravio (no address given) bail on an escape from lawful custody offence, but granted him $25,000 bail on a drug charge, last Tuesday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

On March 11, Caravio was in lawful custody after being charged with possession of narcotics, but he escaped from the said custody. Caravio pleaded guilty to that charge, but denied that, on the same day, he had five grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking in narcotics.

Police Corporal Seon Blackman, prosecuting, said police on mobile patrol arrested the defendant and escorted him to the Ruimveldt Police Station because they had found the prohibited substance in his pants pocket. Although he was handcuffed to the railing of a bench at the police station, Caravio had still managed to make good his escape. But ranks on mobile patrol again saw Caravio on Saturday, March 15, on Regent Street in Georgetown, and again they arrested him.

The defendant apologised for having committed the offence, explaining that he was afraid upon being arrested on the first occasion.

Caravio was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat, who requested that his client be admitted to reasonable bail; but the prosecutor objected to bail, citing the nature and prevalence of the offence. He said that since the defendant had escaped the first time and had to be rearrested, it clearly shows that, if granted bail, Caravio may pose a flight risk.

Caravio will return to court on April 16 for statements in relation to both cases.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)