Latest update November 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
Teen driver slapped with four more charges
Gidram Rasiawan
A Fifth Form student of School of the Nation’s was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $750,000 on five charges including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The defendant, Gidram Rasiawan, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Huckumchand, appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court was placed on $300,000 bail on each of the two counts of causing of death by dangerous driving; $50,000 for taking a vehicle without owner’s permission; $50,000 for being an unlicensed driver for the class of vehicle; and $50,000 for breach of insurance.
He was granted bail on the basis that he is preparing for examinations in May and needs to focus. Huckumchand related that his client is traumatized and would be able to focus less on the matter and more on his studies if he were granted bail. However, he was required to lodge his passport with the police.
Initially, his attorney did not want him to submit his passport but the Magistrate pointed out that Rasiawan is preparing for examinations and may not have uses for the travel document. Nonetheless, in the event that there is an emergency, he will have access to his passport.
The youngster, who looked depressed throughout the proceedings, is required to report every Saturday between 8:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs to the Providence Police Station, which is the nearest station to his Eccles, East Bank Demerara residence.
The Magistrate cautioned Prosecutor Lloyd Thomas that the teen’s passport should be placed at the Vigilance Police Station. He recalled that previously a Canadian Passport lodged by a Jamaican man at the said Court was misplaced.
Thomas had objected to bail because of the various offences.
He noted that in addition to the two deaths, eight persons were injured when the vehicle Rasiawan was driving, smashed into a bus that was travelling in the opposite direction.
Because seven of the injured persons were released from the hospital and the other who is still hospitalized is stable, the Magistrate granted the teen pre-trial liberty. The Magistrate said that it is unlikely that another death may occur since the hospitalized person is in a stable condition.
On Sunday, Rasiawan was the driver of the Toyota Tundra that smashed into a minibus that resulted in the death of two persons- minibus driver Godfrey Daniels, 42, of Ann’s Grove, and passenger Shondell Yaw, 36, of Annandale, East Coast Demerara. Yaw was a teacher and mother of four.
The accident occurred on Mon Repos Public Road. According to the Guyana Police Force, the defendant was way over the allowable alcohol limit.
The teenager was charged for driving under the influence and was placed on $7,500 bail, on Monday last.
However, he was subsequently taken into police custody to assist with further investigations which resulted in the four additional charges.
Rasiawan was not required to plead to the two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, but he pleaded not guilty to the other charges.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A presidential display of “Project Management”
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- So, there I was, blissfully dreaming about cappuccinos and tropical sunsets, when I heard... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
