Businessman’s false pretence charges dismissed after cash repaid to complainants

A businessman got a second chance yesterday after his three counts of allegedly obtaining monies by false pretence were dismissed by a city magistrate. It is alleged that on April 23, at Georgetown, Jude McLennan, 30, of ‘X’ D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, obtained $35,000 from Marlis Ford on the premise that he could obtain a business licence for her at the Guyana Revenue Authority. McLennan pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Annette Singh.

Meanwhile, it was also alleged that between April 19 and May 30, he also did the same to Samaroo Baldeo and Ameshy Ford, promising both of them that he could obtain the licences if they paid him $50,000 and $42,000, respectively. McLennan also pleaded not guilty to those additional charges.

McLennan, who was unrepresented by an attorney, opted to pay back the money in court yesterday, so that the charges against him could be dismissed.  He was granted the option of settlement by the magistrate who then dismissed the case after the money was returned to the virtual complainants.