Guyanese nationals charged with several counts of passport fraud

Three Guyanese nationals, Marcel-Ann Roland, Sidney Rawle-Roland and Cindy Zeniba-Williams have been granted bail of EC$90,000 each, after being charged with several counts of passport fraud.{{more}}

They appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias on Tuesday, but were not required to plea, as the charges are indictable.

Counsel for the defence Carlos James and Grant Connell made an application for bail on the grounds that the defendants had been living in St Vincent and the Grenadines for over 10 years and one has a child, who is a Vincentian national.

The application was accepted and each defendant was placed on bail of EC$90,000 with one surety. They were to surrender all travel documents and driver’s licences and report to the police station in their district, three times per week, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. They were also placed on curfew and are not allowed to leave their homes between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Senior prosecutor in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Adolphus Delplesche told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, that because the three Guyanese nationals had been living in the country for some time and had Vincentian children, it is seen in the court as having ties with the jurisdiction. This, he said, was a valid reason to grant bail.

“It is not usual for non-nationals to be granted bail, but in every rule, there is an exception,” the prosecutor said. “Of course, stringent conditions are attached.”

Delplesche stated that for someone to be denied bail, the prosecution will have to present valid reasons as to why the application should not be granted. Being a flight risk or committing several violations are considered good reasons for bail to be denied.

The matter has been adjourned to June 18, 2015.(BK)