Fuel seller gets 18 months for stealing $1M in sales

Alex Persaud
Alex Persaud

A man was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in jail after he admitted to stealing $1 million from his employer.

Alex Persaud, 44, admitted that as a servant of David Younge, while being entrusted with $1 million, he fraudulently converted it to his own use at Puruni Landing, Cuyuni River, between October 14th and October 26th.

Persaud pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown.

According to the prosecutor, Persaud sold fuel at Puruni Landing for Younge, who is based in Bartica.

On October 14th, 2018, Younge sent $1 million in fuel to Persaud for him to sell. The court heard that Persaud initially told Younge that he was not finding buyers. On October 20th, 2018, Younge contacted Persaud via cell phone and asked about the fuel. At this point, Persaud told Younge that it was sold and that he would send the proceeds to him but he never did. When Younge tried to contact Persaud afterward, the man would not answer his phone. Younge then went to the Bartica Police Station and made a complaint. Persaud was subsequently contacted by the police and was told of the offence. He then admitted to it and was arrested and later charged.

After declining to say anything on his own behalf, Persaud was sentenced to 18 months in jail.