Alleged $$M fraudster arraigned

Twenty-three year-old Travis Ward was placed on $700,000 bail when he appeared yesterday before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton charged with obtaining just over $6.6M by false pretence. He was not required to plead to the two indictable matters.
It is alleged that on April 21 with intent to defraud he obtained the sum of $2,160,000 from Demerara Bank Limited, by falsely pretending that he was entitled to the said amount from the Alfro Alphonso and Sons Enterprise.
It was further alleged on July 20, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $4,468,695 from the Demerara Bank Limited by falsely pretending that he was entitled to the said amount from Alfro Alphonso  and Sons Limited.
Ward, of 148 Essequibo Street, Lamaha Springs, was represented by Attorney at Law Randolph Kirton who made a successful bail application stating his client has no pending or previous convictions and is not a flight risk.
Mr. Kirton also told the court that his client was beaten by police officers.
No facts of what transpired on the day of the incident were presented to the court. However, Police Sergeant Lionel Harvey had no objections to bail, but requested that it be set in a substantial amount to ensure that the accused returns to court.
Ward was granted bail to the tune of $350,000 for each of the two charges and was ordered to appear in court on October 19.