Two remanded over Essequibo road deaths

Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday at the Anna Regina Magistrates Court remanded two drivers to prison when they appeared before him charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Deyal Singh, 49, was not required to plead to the indictable charge read to him which stated that on January 17, 2014 on the Land of Plenty Public Road, he drove in a dangerous manner causing the death of Muntaz Baksh, 72, and his 44-year-old son, Rasmat Baksh.

Attorney Hemraj Rajkumar who represented Singh, told the court that his client is the father of 4, a rice framer and also a hire car driver. He added that Singh is the sole bread winner of his family.

Prosecutor Krishnadatt Ramana told the court that investigations regarding the matter were not completed, but said he had no objections to bail, on the condition that the bail be set in a substantial amount.

However, Singh was remanded to prison until February 19.  Magistrate Scarce said that owing to the frequency of accidents on the Essequibo Coast, drivers are cautioned to be more careful and diligent on the roadway.

Meanwhile, Orette Best was not required to plead to the charge read to him which stated that on Sunday January 19, at Charity he drove a heavy duty truck in a dangerous manner causing the death of three-year-old Josiah Persaud.

Best was also represented by Attorney Hemraj Rajkumar who asked for leniency if bail was granted. He added that his client is married, is family centred and has a permanent place of abode.

There was no objection to bail by Prosecutor Ramana.

However, Magistrate Scarce remanded Best to prison until February 18.