Court frees accused in attempted National Hardware fraud

Floyd George, who was accused of conspiring to obtain nearly $3M worth of building equipment from National Hardware using a forged cheque, was yesterday found not guilty of the crime at the conclusion of his trial.

George, of Sophia, was one of two men charged with conspiring to obtain $2,923,287 million worth of building equipment from the store by means of a Republic Bank cheque, knowing it to be forged.

He had denied the charge and faced a trial by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

From left: Kevin Bacchus and Floyd George
From left: Kevin Bacchus and Floyd George

George was found not guilty of the offence after the court ruled that an essential element was not proven after authorised personnel from the store were not present during the trial to give evidence.

George was represented by attorney Clive Ford.

It was alleged that George’s co-accused, Kevin Bacchus, had presented the cheque to the store, knowing same to be forged, on February 18, 2014.

It is further alleged that George, on February 21, turned up at the hardware store to uplift the materials purchased with the cheque, only to be told that the cheque had bounced. Both men were subsequently arrested and charged.