Haslington man charged with damaging business partner’s property

A business relationship that deteriorated has resulted in a Haslington resident being slapped with a damage to property charge.

It is alleged that between August 2014 and March 23, 2016, at Aranka Backdam, James Seaford, 48, of Lot 61 Haslington East Coast Demerara, unlawfully and maliciously damaged two 4-inch aggregate dredge engines, valued at $1,500,000, property of Vanessa Johnson. Seaford pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, who did not object to bail for Seaford, told the court that the virtual complainant and the defendant had a business relationship and over time the relationship between the two deteriorated.

Seaford was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $200,000 by the Chief Magistrate. The matter was adjourned to April 27, and transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.