A TWENTY-six-year-old land surveyor was on Wednesday refused bail by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for causing death by dangerous driving and driving a vehicle with tinted windows without having the requisite tint permit. 

Sampson Pereira of Mocha Village, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to both charges, one of which said on Monday, November 10 at Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove motor vehicle PJJ 7632 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Jevon Bellamy.
The other charge which he denied, stated that on the same day at Providence Public Road, he drove a vehicle with the glass so tinted that identification of the person travelling in the vehicle was obstructed.
The father of one was also slapped with two other charges and pleaded guilty to both when it was read to him by the chief magistrate. One charge stated that on November 10 at Providence Public Road, after being involved in an accident, he failed to stop motor vehicle PJJ 7632 which he was driving.
The other charge stated that on the same day, at Providence Public Road, after being involved in an accident he failed to render assistance or take the injured person to a medical practitioner.
For the two offences, to which he pleaded guilty, Pereira was fined $30,000 on each charge with an alternative of three months imprisonment.
Representing the defendant was Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Adrian Thompson. He informed the court that his client has been employed with the Guyana Land and Surveys Commission since 2008 and has no previous convictions. He pleaded for bail, stating that his client does not have a passport, but will not pose a flight risk since he has a permanent job and fixed place of abode.
The prosecution’s facts revealed that on the day in question around 01:00 hrs, the defendant was driving the vehicle at a fast rate of speed along the East bank highway in the vicinity of the Guyana National Stadium. The court heard at that time, Bellamy was a pedestrian standing on the eastern side waiting to cross over to the western side when the vehicle struck him, hurling him about 115 feet away.
The defendant then drove away to his home in Mocha Village. Bellamy was picked up in an unconscious state by public- spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police acting on information went to the defendant’s home where he was informed of the offence and arrested.
The police prosecutor opposed bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, and the fact that the defendant had failed to render assistance to the deceased. Opposition to bail was also based on the defendant’s failure to report the accident to the Providence Police Station.
On those grounds, Grant said that if bail is granted to Pereira, he may pose a flight risk and not return for his trial.
Thompson argued that he disagreed with the prosecution stating that his client could not have lost control since is it a straight road.
The prosecutor informed the court that investigations have not been not completed. However, statements were ordered to be filed and the matter has been transferred to Magistrate Fabayo Azore for November 28.