$100,000 bail for man facing abduction charge

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry granted $100,000 bail to a man accused of abducting another when he was arraigned on Friday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The allegation against Richard Herod is that on March 25, at Georgetown, he abducted Christopher Lowe to be secretly confined for the purpose of robbing him. Herod pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.  His attorney, Mark Waldron disputed the charge submitted that the virtual complainant (VC) had used false cheques to purchase liquor from his client’s employer as he was in the habit of doing.  Waldron said that on the day in question, his client had seen the VC and effected a citizen’s arrest in relation to the false-cheque purchases matter. After effecting the arrest, Waldron said, his client contacted the police to whom the VC was later handed over at the police station. He contended that at no time did Herod abduct anyone. Further, counsel questioned, “How does someone abduct another by taking them to the police station?”

Waldron added that if the police conducted more thorough investigations they would observe that the defendant’s claims are authentic.

The prosecution did not object to Herod being granted bail.  The matter will be called again on June 21 for reports and fixtures for trial.