Gold chain as drinks surety leads to charge

A 31-year-old cashier accused of fraudulently converting a gold chain worth over $100,000, given to her for safekeeping after a patron could not pay the bar bill, was granted bail by Magistrate Fazil Azeez when she appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Doodmattie Sharma of 91 Best Village, West Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraudulent conversion and was granted bail in the sum of $25,000 by the magistrate.

It is alleged that on Christmas Eve day at Vreed-en-Hoop being solely entrusted with a gold chain valued at $140,000 by Diaram Sewkarran in order that she may retain it in safe custody, she fraudulently converted same to her own use and benefit.

In denying the charge, Sharma told the court that the virtual complainant was drinking at the Chinese restaurant where she worked and after he started behaving in an unruly manner he was asked to leave the premises.

Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue told the court that Sewkarran was drinking beer with some friends and he didn’t have enough money to pay the bill and he gave the chain to Sharma to keep until the next day. Upon returning the next day, Sharma allegedly denied that the gold chain was given to her. The matter was reported and following investigations, she was arrested and charged.

After listening to the submissions, the magistrate granted bail and ordered Sharma to return to court on January 18 at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.