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Two GDF ranks charged with demanding money by menace

May 01, 2010 News

Two ranks from the Guyana Defence Force were granted their pre trial liberty, yesterday when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.
The men, Mathew Austin, 32, who is a sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force, and Paul Jarvis, who is a corporal, are both accused of demanding money by menace.
The allegation was that the two men, on April 27, using menace, demanded the sum of $600,000 from Toolsie Persaud with the intent to steal. The two men were not required to plead since the charge was indictable.
The two men were each placed on $100,000 bail.
They are expected to make another court appearance on June 4.
Attorney at law, Joann Bond, in association with James Bond, in a bail application told the court that her clients have served Guyana for a number of years.
She explained that Austin, who resides at 539 Number 29 Village West Coast Berbice, has dedicated 16 years of service to the Guyana Defence Force.
Bond further told the court that Jarvis is residing at 168 Middle Road, La Penitence, and has six years service with the Guyana Defence Force.
The lawyer noted that her client, Austin, had worked part time with Persaud and was owed a substantial amount of money.
According to Bond, on the day in question, Austin went to Persaud’s business place to collect the money that was owed to him.
She said that Jarvis was only there because Austin had requested his company. Bond further explained that Austin was given an envelope with an undisclosed amount of cash. She said that soon after her clients uplifted the money the allegation was made against them.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford didn’t oppose bail, but told the court a different version of events.
According to the prosecutor, the two ranks went to Persaud who owns a logging company and told him that he was working on “soldier’s land” and that he was trespassing.
Telford said that the two then told Persaud that he had to pay $600,000 and he would be allowed to continue his business.
Persaud immediately went to the police and told them what transpired earlier. The officers in turn set up a “sting operation” to catch the officers in the act.
The prosecutor further told the court that Persaud called the two ranks and they came and uplifted the money.
He said that Persaud handed over $300,000 to them and as soon as they collected the money the two were arrested by the police.
The prosecutor also asked the court for the matter to be transferred to the Bartica Magistrates Court.

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