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Biker fined $330,000 for 24 traffic offences
(Kaieteur News) – As part of ongoing efforts by the Guyana Police Force to strengthen traffic law enforcement, several individuals were charged with traffic offences and fined amounts exceeding $330,000.
Police in a statement revealed that a 20-year-old motorcyclist was fined a total of $330,000 after being charged with 24 traffic offences when he appeared at the Lethem Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The defendant, Romel Bhola of Tabatinga Housing Scheme, Region Nine, committed a series of traffic violations on Tuesday and Wednesday along Tabatinga Drive, Lethem, Central Rupununi. At the time of his arrest, Bhola was riding a black motorcycle that bore no identification marks.
Romel Bhola fined $330,000
For offences committed on Tuesday, Bhola was charged with 13 traffic violations. These included operating an uninsured and uncertified motor vehicle, failing to display front and rear identification marks, making a loud and continuous noise, improper maintenance of a motor vehicle, failing to carry a speedometer, reflecting mirror, and front and rear direction indicator lights, riding an unlicensed motor vehicle, driving without a safety helmet, and failing to give right of way. He was fined various sums for each offence, ranging from $5,000 to $25,00 with alternative prison sentences attached.
On Wednesday, Bhola was again found committing similar offences at the same location and was charged with an additional 11 violations, which largely repeated the previous day’s infractions, including uninsured and uncertified vehicle offences, failure to display identification marks, improper maintenance, missing safety equipment, unlicensed riding, and making a loud and continuous noise.
Bhola appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan and pleaded guilty to all 24 charges. In total, he was ordered to pay $330,000 or serve up to eight months’ imprisonment in default of payment. Additionally, the court ordered him to perform six months of community service at the Lethem Police Station, commencing Friday, January 23, 2026, between 09:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs.
Additionally, a 27-year-old construction worker, Christopher John of Lima Sands, was arrested and charged in connection with several traffic-related offences committed on January 11, 2026, along the Anna Regina Public Road, Essequibo Coast.
Christopher John
Police said John was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test, breach of insurance, and driving without a licence. He appeared on Wednesday at the Anna Regina Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, who read the charges to him.
John pleaded guilty to the offence of breach of insurance and was fined $40,000 or face three months’ imprisonment in default of payment. He also pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and was fined $30,000 or, in default, two months’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old labourer from the Essequibo Coast was also fined for traffic offences. The defendant, Josian Vanderhyden of Sideline Dam, Queenstown, was charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, and failure to display a rear identification mark. The offences were committed on December 24, 2025, along the Anna Regina Access Road.
Josian Vanderhyden fined $145,000
Vanderhyden appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. He was fined a total of $145,000 or faces three months’ imprisonment if he fails to pay.
Lastly, 25-year-old gold miner Ronaldo Phillips of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit.
Ronaldo Phillips
Police said Phillips was arrested on Monday, January 12, 2026, in connection with the offence, which was committed along the Six Miles Public Road, North West District. He appeared on Wednesday via Zoom at the Port Kaituma Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman, where the charge was read to him.
Phillips pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000 or faces three months’ imprisonment in default of payment.
Police urged motorists, “to comply with traffic laws and regulations in the interest of public safety.”
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