Twenty-eight-year-old Ronaldo Faria of David Street, Kitty, was on Wednesday remanded to prison shortly after he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly converting money given to him by a man for the purchase of a four-wheel All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), to his own use.
The excavator operator pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraudulent misappropriation.
He denied that on April 17, Marvin Persaud solely entrusted him with $200,000 to purchase a Honda ATV and that he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit.
Persaud, who was also present in court, stated that he wanted back the money. He said that one of his friends had introduced him to Faria who told him that he worked at a car dealership.
He said that Faria had told him that he owned an ATV but it was in the hinterland and he would get it for him in two days. Persaud stated that he handed over the money to Faria who in turn gave him a receipt.
Persaud went on the say that on the third day when he hadn’t heard from Faria he tried to call him but his phone was turned off.
He noted that from then it was only two or three days ago that he saw Faria again.
He said that he observed Faria seated in a car on Hadfield Street, so he apprehended him and called the police. Faria was then arrested and later charged.
Sergeant of Police Kevin London objected to Faria’s bail application, when he suggested it, on the grounds that he may not return to court for his trial if released and that the length of time that he had been on the run clearly shows that he had no intention of repaying Persaud.
The magistrate then ordered that Faria be remanded to prison and that the case be transferred to Court Three for September 23.
