Latest update July 27th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 16, 2009 News
Barbados Nation: Only one of six drug convicts, all Guyanese, had anything to say when they returned to court yesterday, after more than a week on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Dodds in St. Phillip. That one maintained his innocence.
Lemme Michael Campbell, 45, and his wife Somwattie Persaud, 40, both of 106 New Garden Street, Georgetown, Guyana; Christopher Bacchus, 43, and his wife Dianne Bacchus, 37, both of Bay Gardens, Bayland, St Michael; Wayne Gavin Green, 38, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana, and Bridgefield, St Thomas; and Rohan Shastri Rambarran, 43, a businessman of Georgetown, Guyana, appeared in the No. 3 Supreme Court yesterday, after being convicted on June 4, of possession and trafficking in 91.3 kilos of cannabis and 119.4 kilos of cocaine on November 30, 2005.
Campbell and Rambarran were also found guilty of importing both cannabis and cocaine on November 29, 2005.
Campbell, Persaud, the Bacchuses and Rambarran opted to let their attorneys speak for them, but Green told the court: “I stand by my innocence,” before he, too, said he wanted his lawyer to speak on his behalf.
Lawyers for the six then asked for pre-sentencing reports, and their requests were granted by Madame Justice, Kaye Goodridge.
Earlier, the court had heard from character witnesses for the Bacchuses, Gregory and Margaret Hallett, who described the couple as loving and hard-working.
The Halletts said they met the Bacchuses in 2002 when they were out crusading as part of their Seventh Day Adventist outreach programme. However, Gregory Hallett admitted, when cross-examined by Principal Crown Counsel, Anthony Blackman, that he knew nothing about the Bacchuses’ social life.
Also testifying on Christopher and Dianne Bacchus’ behalf, was Hugh Rock who said he has known them for the past ten or 12 years and they were hardworking, trustworthy and honest.
When cross-examined by Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC, he said: “I don’t know nothing ’bout them importing lumber or exporting lumber.”
The six are to return for sentencing on September 22.
The matter was prosecuted by Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, QC, Principal Crown Counsel, Anthony Blackman and Principal Crown Counsel Wanda Blair.
Sir Richard Cheltenham, QC, and Shelly-Ann Seecharan appeared for Rambarran; Vonda Pile represented Christopher and Dianne Bacchus; Vincent Watson and Desmond Sands appeared for Green; while Ralph Thorne, QC, and Arthur Holder represented Campbell and Persaud.
BE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO THE FOREIGN EXPLOITERS
Jul 27, 2024
Kaieteur News – Former table tennis player Edinho Lewis was on Friday placed on $1,350,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Faith...Kaieteur News – A frightening situation is developing. The law enforcement agencies have been seized a number of illegal... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – Everyone’s heart should cry out for the people of Union Island, Carriacou,... more
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]