Charge dismissed against miner accused of $4M fraud

Annirood Persaud, the miner who was charged with fraudulently converting his business partner’s jewellery to his own use and benefit, had the matter dismissed after the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charge against Persaud, of 173 Eccles Housing Scheme, stated that between August 1, 2016 and February 17, 2017, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, being solely entrusted by David Sugrim with a pearl set, two platinum chains with diamonds and other items, totaling $10,300,000 in order that he may keep same and return to Sugrim,  fraudulently converted the two diamond chains and a diamond band valued at $4,000,000 to his own use and benefit.

When the matter was called yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, the court heard that based on the whole of the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court found that there was insufficient evidence to find the defendant guilty of the crime.

As such, the charge against Persaud was dismissed.

Persaud was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva.