Guyanese on remand

A Guyanese woman, who came here on vacation and was expected to leave these shores yesterday, is now on remand at this country’s female penitentiary.{{more}}

Appearing at the Serious Offences Court before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, Sahadeo Sharita Polanco, 30, was arrested and charged on Wednesday for having in her possession one-passport application form, which she knew or believed to be false with the intention of inducing Shevorn Cato to accept it as genuine.

She was not allowed to plea to the indictable charge and Prosecutor Station Sergeant Nigel Butcher objected to the Palanco’s bail on the grounds that she was a non-national and a potential flight risk and that she was leaving the country the next day.

Palanco’s defence attorney, Stephen Williams said that it was time enough that “We get past the fact the because someone is a non-national that they can’t be granted bail”. He said that one of the options that the prosecution can take is to have her hand in her travel documents or be allowed a cash bail.

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young agreed with Station Sergeant Butcher’s that the defendant was a non-national and that it was an indictable offence.

Chief Magistrate Young adjourned the matter for May 30 for a Preliminary Inquiry. (KW)