BUSINESSMAN Bishnarine ‘Sanjay’ Persaud, owner of Sanjay’s Jewellery World and of 26 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was yesterday expected to appear before City Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

He caused the death of Mayor and City Council (M&CC) employee, Leon Hunte, 55, of Stone Avenue, Blygezeight, Georgetown.
The accident occurred on September 10, 2014 at Newtown, Kitty Georgetown, when Persaud was alleged to have driven a sports car, PKK 5501, in a manner dangerous to the public.
The matter had been set for defence yesterday, but in the morning session of the court, Defence Counsel, Mr. Glen Hanoman asked for an adjournment of the matter until Thursday, July 30.
Magistrate Latchman, however, granted the defence an adjournment only until 15:30 hrs yesterday. She had intended for the defendant to choose from three options: give a sworn statement, give an unsworn statement, or remain silent.

Persaud did not appear in the afternoon session of the court, and his attorney, Mr. Glenn Hanoman, informed the court that a motion has been filed before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, contending that, “under Article 144 (C), the defendant shall be given adequate time and facilities for preparation of his defence”.
Hanoman contended that the time given to his client was very unconstitutional.
The case was consequently adjourned to September 30.
Forty-year-old Persaud had pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on his first court appearance in September of last year, and was granted bail in the sum of $1.5 million.
The prosecution is being led by Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt, operating from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The prosecution’s case is that, at about 11:15 pm, Persaud was driving east along Lamaha Street at a fast rate of speed when he collided with Hunte, who was riding a pedal cycle in the same direction. Hunte was pitched some distance away.(Geeta Rampersaud)