Minibus driver granted bail over alleged shady house lot deal

A 40-year-old man was yesterday placed on bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to a charge of obtaining money under the pretence that he could provide a house lot. It is alleged that Reaz Bacchus of Lot 87 Fourth Street, Subryanville, collected the sum of $650,000 from Gavin Williams between May 5 and May 8, 2014 at Kitty, claiming that he was in a position to acquire a house lot for Williams.

Bacchus, a minibus driver and sole breadwinner for his family, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

According to the virtual complainant, Bacchus had given him back $600,000 and still has an outstanding amount of $50,000 for him. Bacchus told the court that he will pay back the rest of Williams’s money in January. The chief magistrate granted Bacchus bail in the sum of $50,000 and ordered that the rest of Williams’ money be handed over to him by January 18, 2016, which is also the date when statements are scheduled to be presented in court.