JULIANO Seunarine, 28, of La Bonne Intention (LBI) East Coast Demerara appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of 84-year-old Christobel Hughes, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.The unrepresented accused was remanded to prison on the causing death charge until September 4 and was fined $7,500 after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.

It is alleged that last Saturday while driving motor pickup PPP 4641 at Pike and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown, Seunarine drove in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Christobel Hughes, the mother of prominent attorney-at-law and Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes. Seunarine was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
The court was also told that Seunarine’s blood alcohol level was 161 micrograms, way above the legal limit of 35, preventing him from having proper control of motor pickup PPP 4641.
The magistrate was informed by the police prosecutor Deniro Jones that the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) would not be applied at this stage because additional statements are to be filed and advice is to be received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to the facts on the day in question at about 23:00 hrs, Seunarine was driving east along Pike Street and as he was approaching Lamaha Street he failed to stop at a traffic light and collided into motorcar PMM 6763, in which the deceased was a passenger and her son Stuart Hughes was the driver.
As a result of the impact Christobel Hughes died from the injuries received while her son received minor scars.