Latest update June 22nd, 2026 12:14 AM
Alleged kidnapper called on to lead defence
The prosecution is contending that there is not enough evidence to convict Ronald Marques, should the matter be heard in the High Court.
Marques is one of the men fingered in a plot that saw the abduction of a Caricom official’s son in 2010. Marques, who is now 25, appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell once again as the preliminary inquiry into the matter continued.
Marques was charged under the kidnapping act of 2003, with kidnapping in March 16, 2010. On March 12 , he along with others allegedly kidnapped Andre Barnes from outside his girlfriend’s residence, with the intent to gain money for the man’s return.
During the trial, the prosecution called several witnesses. Defence attorney, Peter Hugh, made a submission that the defense had no case to answer.
At yesterday’s hearing the magistrate overruled the no case submission by the defence. She then called upon the defendant to lead a defence.
The alleged kidnappers abducted Barnes and requested $50 M for the man’s safe return.
Marques and his accomplices had reportedly kidnapped Barnes in West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme after the man had dropped off his girlfriend at her residence. Those implicated in the crime revealed a female assailant amongst them.
Reports say that whilst Barnes proceeded to leave the area, two men armed with handguns knocked on the window on the driver’s side of the car demanding that he open the door.
When Barnes complied, the gunmen ordered the young man into the back seat and drove off with him.
Shortly after, the kidnappers used Barnes’s mobile phone to contact his mother, warning her not to contact the police. The men then demanded that the woman give them $50 M before her son could be released.
Barnes’s white Corolla in which he had been abducted, PLL 8269, was found a day later by the police in D’Urban Backlands, where the perpetrators had abandoned it.
The victim, who was 26 at time of his abduction, was said to be the son of the Chief Internal Auditor at the CariCom Secretariat. The man hails from Supply, East Bank Demerara and was rescued from a North Ruimveldt residence where he was being held captive.
Police ranks acting on a tip dispatched heavily armed men to the location, where they found Barnes and nabbed one of his abductors, said to be Ronaldo Marques.
The suspect was allegedly armed with a 9mm pistol when he was apprehended. Marques’s partners in crime were captured the next day and two firearms were recovered.
The matter is expected to continue on November 7 when the accused is to lead a defence.
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