A thirty-nine-year-old farmer from Berbice River was remanded after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with burglary in Georgetown.

Michael Persaud, a farmer of De Velde, Berbice River, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday.

It is alleged that on November 21, Persaud broke into the home of Edith Sweeney and stole one laptop computer, one cell phone, one pair of Nike sneakers, one wristwatch, a quantity of gold jewellery and cash, totalling $876,000.
Persaud’s lawyer Troy Degoo said that the charge against his client is definitely a case of mistaken identity. Degoo said Persaud was staying at his brother’s place in Seaforth Street, Campbellville where he normally stays when he brings produce from his farm to sell in Georgetown. According to the attorney, Persaud, being a man from a rural area, is accustomed to rising early. On the day in question, he said, his client got up early and craving for a cigarette, went in search of one.  He was walking along the road when he was picked up by the police and taken to the station where the charge was instituted.

Degoo said that his client was in custody since 3 am on November 21. He said too that none of the missing items were discovered on his client’s person or at his brother’s Seaforth Street residence.

Meanwhile, the virtual complainant told the court that she was asleep in her bedroom, when she was awakened by noises and saw the accused in her bedroom. 

Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith said that nothing was recovered.
The matter continues on December 3.