A woman accused of hiring two taxis knowing that she was unable to pay the fares was on Monday ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 or alternatively face two weeks imprisonment when she appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation is that on September 15 at Georgetown Alicia Austin incurred a debt by means of fraud by failing to pay to Jessie Knights $10,000, a debt incurred for taxi fare. On the same day also, Austin is accused of incurring a debt by means of fraud by failing to pay to Romel Griffith $15,000, a debt incurred for taxi fare.
The woman pleaded guilty to the first charge but denied the other.
Prosecutor Stephen Telford said that on the day in question, the defendant hired the taxis of the complainants on different occasions and after being driven to several locations, informed the men that she had no money to pay.
When given a chance to respond, the accused told the court that she has no knowledge of the last charge but admitted that indeed she was unable to pay Knights after he had dropped her to her destination.
In her defence, the unrepresented woman said she had hired Knights at Parika to transport her and a quantity of lumber which was seized by the police on the way to Georgetown. According to Austin, it was the complainant’s fault that the materials were seized since Knights failed to attach a piece of red cloth for caution at the end of the materials.
Austin told the court that she had to pay to have her materials released, adding that she then informed Knights that after having to pay for the release of the materials she had no money to pay him.
“Is he [Knights] mek me in get to pay he in the first place,” a visibly angry Austin related.
The defendant was later fined $20,000 or two weeks imprisonment if she fails to pay.
