(Antigua Sun) – Two Guyanese men were convicted and ordered removed from the state upon completion of their sentences when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ivan Walters in the St. John’s Magistrates’ Court.

Alex Andre Natram and Oscar Fitzpatrick Tyson both pleaded guilty to remaining in Antigua after the expiration of a permit.

The duo was sentenced to serve three weeks at Her Majesty’s Prison, after which they will be deported.

The court heard that on 10 December, immigration enforcement officers acting on instructions went on duty to the St John’s Police Station where Natram and Tyson were detained.

The immigration officers were presented with two Republic of Guyana passports belonging to the men, which bore their names and contained their photographs.
Natram and Tyson were asked to accompany the officers to the Immigration Department where they were later questioned.

Immigration officers checked the contents of Natram’s passport and observed that his permit to remain in the state had expired. It was also noted that he had been granted amnesty and as a result received an extension on 11 February, 2004, which expired on 9 May, that same year. He was granted a further extension on 22 December, 2004. That time expired on 21 March, 2005.

Natram was told that it is an offence to stay in the country after his permit expired and that he would be charged.

The Guyanese man, who was living at Bishopgate Street, was invited to give a statement but he chose not to. Meanwhile, when immigration officers checked Tyson’s passport it was also discovered that he was out of time.

Tyson gave a statement to immigration officials in which he explained the reasons for not seeking any further extension.