Two more would-be GDF officers charged over forged certificates

Two men who allegedly forged CXC certificates in order that they might be admitted to the Cadet Officers Course of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were yesterday placed on bail in the sum of $150,000 each  when they appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges of forgery and uttering forged documents when they were read to them by the magistrate.

It is alleged that between February 1 and 28 at Georgetown, Gavin Stewart, 20, of 29 Middle Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), with intent to fraud, forged one CXC certificate, knowing same to be forged. During the same period the said Stewart is alleged to have uttered to Glennis Joseph, a member of the GDF, a document purporting to show that it was a CXC certificate knowing same to be forged.

It is alleged that between February 1 and 28 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Delroy James, 20, of 56 Clonbrook Housing Scheme, ECD forged one CXC certificate, knowing same to be forged. During the same time the said James is alleged to have uttered to Glennis Joseph, a member of the GDF, one CXC certificate purporting to show that it was a CXC certificate knowing same to be forged.

Attorney-at-law Rexford Jackson who represented the defendants made an application for the men to be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that they pose no risk of flight, have no previous convictions, have fixed addresses and have been in full cooperation with the police in their investigations.

Police Corporal Munilall Seetaram had no objection to the bail application made by the attorney.

The unemployed defendants were subsequently placed on $75,000 bail for each charge. They were ordered by the magistrate to return to court on September 24 for statements.

Meanwhile on July 22, Danaesh Singh, 21, of 613 Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was also charged with forgery and uttering a forged document in a bid to gain admission to the GDF Cadet Officers programme.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson and was placed on a $100,000 bail on each charge.