(ST. JOHN’S, Antigua) GUYANESE Orland Wilson, 26, pleaded guilty to fraudulently diverting, obstructing, and consuming electricity from the Antigua Public Utility Authority (APUA) when he appeared yesterday in the St John’s Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel.Facts of the case are that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers executed a search warrant for an unlicensed firearm and a 42″ flat screen TV at Wilson’s home in Villa at about 6.45 am on April 13th, and not only did the lawmen find a television matching this description, but they noticed that a red tag was attached to the APUA electricity meter on the house. Sergeant Findley asked Wilson about the tag, and he explained that APUA had disconnected the electricity in January, but since he did not have any money, he cut the tag off, opened the meter, and removed the plastic which was preventing the flow of current; in effect reconnecting the current before replacing the red tag.

Wilson was arrested and charged; a report was made to APUA, and the electricity supply to the house was disconnected again.

On the charges of obstructing and diverting current, Wilson was reprimanded and discharged; but for the unlawful consumption of electricity, he was fined $900 EC Dollars ($66,252 Guyana Dollars). The court ordered the father of two to pay $500 EC Dollars ($36,806 Guyana Dollars) forthwith, and the balance must be paid on or before May 1, failing which Wilson would be jailed for three months.

The police are continuing their investigation involving the television.
(Reporting by caribarenaantigua news, published by OferShaked)