Man pleads not guilty to falsely representing himself to be PM Gonsalves

It turned out to be quite an interesting day on Wednesday, April 3, at the Serious Offences Court, as two men appeared before the Chief Magistrate Sonya Young on criminal charges relating to Prime Minister Dr  Ralph Gonsalves.{{more}}

Diamond resident, Jae’phique Lewis, 22, pleaded not guilty to, with intent to defraud some unknown persons, falsely representing himself to be Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He was also charged with making a copy of an instrument to wit, a Caribbean Skilled Nationals Certificate, which he knows or believes to be a false instrument, with the intention that another person shall use it to induce somebody to accept it as genuine.

Both charges allegedly took place between December 1 and 30, 2012.

When he first appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on March 28, he pleaded guilty to the “falsely representing himself” charge and the matter was deferred to the Serious Offences Court for sentencing. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of using a false instrument.

However, Lewis changed his plea to not guilty on both charges, after he was represented by counsel, Grant Connell.

He was granted $5,000 bail and the matter was adjourned to May 23 for hearing.

Wednesday also saw the commencement of a Preliminary Inquiry into the matter where Anthony Hamilton is charged with threatening to kill Prime Minister Gonsalves.

On February 11, Hamilton, a resident of Kingstown, was brought to the court and was not allowed to plea to the charge of making use of threatening language to wit, “Anytime I come out of prison, I will kill the Prime Minister”.

The threats are said to have been made between December 2010 and February 2011, at Her Majesty’s Prison.

Five witnesses testified in the matter.

Prosecutor, Inspector Adolphus Delpesche indicated that the prosecution intends to call two more witnesses.

Hamilton is not represented. (KW)