FORTY-YEAR-old Andre Rodgeford, manager of the Privilege nightclub was on Friday fined $15,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he confessed to overstaying his time Guyana.The Trinidad and Tobago national, pleaded guilty to the charge that between January 5 and January 9, 2017, he failed to comply with the conditions of his stay in Guyana.
According to immigration records, Rodgeford was granted a six-month stay here from July 5, 2016 to January 4, 2017.
Police prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Rodgeford came to Guyana on May 17, 2016 through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and was granted a six-month stay, but failed to apply for an extension.
The Trinidadian was held for questioning along with others, following the shooting in the night- club last Saturday. It was while he was being questioned that police discovered that the man had overstayed his time here.
The unrepresented Rodgeford told the court when he came to Guyana in May last year, he was given a six-month stay, during which he was staying at the Pegasus Hotel and was later given the opportunity to manage the Privilege nightclub.
He said he was granted an additional three months extension because of his job and was supposed to obtain another extension; but after being in police custody for the alleged shooting since Monday, January 9, he was unable to get it done.
Rodgeford told the chief magistrate that he wished to apply for another six- month extension, but she suggested that he apply for a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) certificate.
The investigation into the alleged shooting inside the Privilege nightclub at Hotel Tower, Main Street, is continuing and according to the police, the victim of the shooting was taken to a private hospital where he was treated.