Man fined $25,000 for using abusive language to Cheddi Jagan Jnr

A man who admitted using abusive language but denied using threatening behaviour towards Dr Cheddi Jagan Jnr appeared yesterday before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Allan Roach admitted that on April 9 at Georgetown he made use of abusive language towards Jagan.

He, however, denied that on the same day at Georgetown he made use of threatening behaviour to Jagan thereby resulting in a breach of the peace.
In presenting the facts of the case, Police Corporal Venetta Pindar told the court that the defendant frequents the area where the complainant’s business is located and habitually blocks the entrance to the premises.

Pindar explained that the defendant usually sits at the entrance making the way impassable to the virtual complainant’s (VC) place of business.

When reprimanded about his actions, the prosecutor stated, the accused began using threatening behaviour and abusive language to the VC. Pindar said the accused was carrying a knife at the time with which he attempted to harm the complainant.

When given a chance to speak, the defendant told the court that he did not use threatening behaviour. According to him, he was sitting on the road stitching a shoe with the knife.

When initially asked to plead, the defendant told the magistrate that he did not know what “guilty or not guilty” meant.

After it was explained by the magistrate, the man entered his pleas.

After listening to the case, the magistrate ordered Roach to pay a fine of $25,000 or spend two weeks in prison for the abusive language charge. On the other hand, he was dismissed on the other charge and placed on a bond to keep the peace after the complainant indicated to the court that he did not wish to proceed with that matter against Roach.

The magistrate warned the defendant that failure to uphold the bond will result in imprisonment for six months.