Latest update December 31st, 2024 3:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

“We would never leave Robert Gates unguarded”- prison official

Jun 24, 2014 News

“The Georgetown Prison would never allow Robert Gates, to go unsupervised,” one prison official told Kaieteur News yesterday. The official who spoke on the ground of anonymity explained that Gates was always under guard.
Earlier this month Kaieteur News had queried why Gates a convicted felon who is giving evidence in the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry was allowed to wander around in and around the High Court.
According to the official, the prison was served with a summons from the Commission which they had to comply with. The official explained that Gates would at times be guarded by either uniformed or plain clothes prison guards.
“If you only make a mistake with Gates he would disappear,” the prison official told Kaieteur News. At yesterday’s sitting Gates was guarded by a female prison officer.
Gates, a former policeman, testifying before the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Walter Rodney, alleged that he was sent to infiltrate the Working People’s Alliance in the years leading up to Rodney’s death.
Gates, who goes by several aliases, was charged back in 2010 for obtaining money by false pretense after he fleeced unsuspecting persons using the ruse that he owned a car dealership.
According to Gates, the charges for which he has been convicted were allegedly “trumped” up because of his intention to give evidence at the Commission. He was charged in 2010 when the commission was not even considered.
However, it was only when Gates disclosed that he was “serving” the sentence that persons realized that he had been coming to the Commission since its inception in April without any apparent prison guard.
Gates, during all hearings, was seated at the back of the room with a woman next to him. Neither prison guard nor police would be seen accompanying him to the Commission.
It was unclear whether there is some “special arrangement” between Gates and the Commission or the Guyana Prison Service. In normal circumstances, prisoners who are brought from the Camp Street jail to give court evidence are accompanied by a Prison Guard, who promptly follows the inmate around. When the inmate is finished, a prison vehicle would be waiting for that inmate to be taken back to prison.
Commission lawyer Glenn Hanoman, when questioned about Gates, said that the idea of a Commission of Inquiry being held was floated over 30 years.  When asked about the conditions for Gates and the fact that there is no prison guard around him, Hanoman said there’s a reason for it and it was part of a plan.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]