Magistrate issues stern warning to would be criminals

Four of the five Guyanese who were last year charged with possession of equipment to commit burglary were jailed yesterday for periods ranging from six months to two years.{{more}}

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, sitting at the Serious Offences Court, sentenced bodywork man Rizwan Mohammed Meerza, 35, to six months in prison.

Computer technician Kevin Orindi McLennan, 29, welder fabricator Aslam Mohammed Kayum, 47, and technician Devindra Singh, 33, were each sentenced to two years in prison.

Acting manager Savitrie Sookraj, 34, the lone female, pleaded guilty to the charge.

The magistrate ordered that she be deported, since she was deemed to have served her time.

On September 30, 2012, the Guyanese were arrested at the E.T. Joshua Airport around 11 a.m. after they were caught with two red-handled pliers, one X-ray paper, one extension cord, 314 data cards, scanners, X-ray papers, data card readers and other equipment for use in the course of burglary.

The prosecution withdrew two other charges against them.

All charges were dropped against two other Guyanese — Surendar Sookdeo and hotel manager Gangadai Budhram, 54.

Local police suspected that the tools nabbed, were to be used to commit fraudulent activities at automated teller machines (ATM).

After perusing submission from attorney Grant Connell, Young said her sentences would reflect the roles each of the five prisoners played.

The magistrate said she found that Sookraj and Meerza played the least part in the offence.

“Singh, to me, was the mastermind. McLennan was the middle man and Kayum was the financier…” Young said.

The magistrate said she found that the Guyanese came to the country, intending to commit an offence never committed here before.

“You have sullied our land. I am sending a strong message to nationals and non-nationals…” Young stated.

Young made it clear that such activity will be not be tolerated in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“What I need to say to the society, is that it will not be tolerated and certainly will not be tolerated by foreigners coming onto our soil, specifically to perpetrate this kind of crime.

“My message has to be clear and strong, Mr Connell. No doubt about that. I don’t care what others want to say, think or do. My interest is not there. My interest is protecting my society from elements such as these. I will not tolerate it.”

In response, Connell said although the Guyanese were in St Vincent, they are Guyana’s problem.

“They should be sent there immediately,” he submitted.

However, the magistrate disagreed with Connell’s statement.

“Not for me. If people feel they could come into St Vincent and the most they could get is a tap on the wrist, it says absolutely nothing for our justice system. Absolutely nothing. I wouldn’t tolerate that.”

The magistrate further commended the police officer whom she said was “astute” in doing his job.

“I am very, very pleased. God alone knows what would have been happening today. If the officer was not astute, we would not have been here today … Let them sit there. They must bear the penalty of their wrong doing,” Young said.