Man jailed for free taxi ride, simple larceny

A 38-year-old man who was yesterday brought before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on charges of obtaining credit by fraud and simple larceny was sentenced to one year and two years imprisonment, respectively, and the sentences are to run concurrently.

Ronald Singh of Lot 58 Bush Lot, West Coast Demerara pleaded guilty to both charges when they were read to him by Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.

According to reports, on December 24, 2005 at approximately 2.45 pm Singh hired a taxi driver, to take him from Georgetown to Rosignol and then to return to Georgetown, a hire that carried a $12,000 bill. At the time the complainant had $48,000 in the compartment between the driver’s and passenger’s seats in the vehicle.

The taxi driver took Singh to Rosignol, where Singh asked him to purchase two bottles of drink. The man left Singh in the vehicle with the cash and after purchasing the drinks, returned to Georgetown and dropped Singh off at Stone Avenue. After Singh exited the car and ran down a nearby alley, the taxi driver checked for the cash and discovered it missing.

Singh was never arrested until January 5 this year, when he allegedly attempted to obtain credit by fraud by trying the same tactics on another taxi driver. He pleaded not guilty to this charge. The matter is due to go to trial on March 7 in Court One.