Pomeroon man jailed over gold theft from employer

A 25-year-old Pomeroon resident was yesterday sentenced to two years in jail after admitting to stealing a quantity of gold from his employer and fleeing to the city.

The charge against Rayon Smith, also called Rayon Ravin Smith stated that on August 23, at Mazaruni River, North West District, he stole 13 ounces, 17 penny weight raw gold valued $2.8 million, property of Neil Archibald Gonsalves.

The particulars of the case stated that Smith, who was employed by Gonsalves as a miner, took unlawful possession of the gold and boarded a plane to Georgetown in an attempt to evade being caught. However, after the gold was discovered to be missing, a report was made and Smith was apprehended in the city.

He was reportedly found to be in possession of 10 ounces of gold as well as $200,000 cash. As a result, he was arrested and later charged with the offence.

Smith opted to plead guilty to the offence after it was read to him by presiding Magistrate Ann McLennan, who in turn sentenced him to two years in jail.