Jamaican charged with overstaying says came to see dad

A 33-year-old Jamaican claiming Guyanese parentage was yesterday granted bail after he was accused of overstaying his time.

Marlon Brown told the court that although he was born in Jamaica his father is Guyanese.

He added that he returned to Guyana in 2012 to spend some time with him then left for Jamaica and returned sometime later. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read Brown a charge earlier in the court proceedings where police alleged that between May 4, 2012 and September 20, 2016 at Georgetown he overstayed his time.

According to the charge, the defendant was granted 6 months stay in the country between the period of May 4 and November 5, 2012. Brown, a mechanic pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The prosecution objected to bail based on the fact that the defendant is not a Guyanese.

It was further stated that on September 18 the defendant was arrested during raids being conducted by police officers.

The Chief Magistrate later granted the defendant $60,000 bail and adjourned the matter to October 7.