Man granted bail over causing brother’s death in crash

At the Blairmont Court yesterday Magistrate Nigel Hawke granted pre-trial freedom in the sum of $100,000 to a man who was accused of causing the death of his younger brother while driving a Canter vehicle.

It is alleged that on December 11 at Number Four Village, West Coast Berbice, Neil Rafeek, 35, drove the Canter GLL 7891 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Ryan Rafeek, 25.

Neil Rafeek of Junior Staff Compound, Diamond, East Bank Demerara pleaded
not guilty to the offence.

He is scheduled to return to court on February 15 for report.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Donna Grant-Fraser asked for substantial bail to be granted to ensure that the defendant returns to court.
In response, attorney-at-law, Perry Gossai submitted that the offence is bailable and requested reasonable bail.

He said his client was placed on $100,000 station bail and had reported to the Fort Wellington Police Station and attended court yesterday as he was ordered to do.

He also submitted that not all accidents are caused by dangerous driving and that there was water and mud on the road at the time. He said his client has a fixed place of abode with his mother and that the victim was his brother.

Ryan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital while Neil and another passenger, Shivnarine Shivraj, 34, escaped with minor injuries.