Former Policewoman charged with fraud, accused of forging Chief Justice’s signature

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A 58 – year – old former Special Constable attached to the Guyana Police Force was today (Thursday, March 13) charged with obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

The woman, Ann Small of South Sophia, Greater Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Ann and was placed on $300,000 bail.  She was not required to plead to the offences, which alleged that between November 1, 2012 and February 28, 2013 at Georgetown she obtained from Chandrawattie Sahadeo the sum of $480,000 by pretending that she was in possession of a document that was signed by the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang.

The second charge alleged that on April 7, 2013 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, she forged a document with the signature of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang.

Police Prosecutor, Dinero Jones objected to the pretrial liberty of the accused based on the nature and gravity of the offences. According to the Prosecutor, the Virtual Complainant (VC) had a civil matter involving a plot of land against her sister-in-law in the High Court and the defendant who was at that time a Special Constable attached to the High Court, approached Sahadeo and told her that she can get the matter dismissed. 

Sahadeo agreed and Small told her that she will need $500,000 to give the Chief Justice. The Court heard that the VC told the accused that she only had $480,000 and cannot pay the amount all at once. She made the payments two times and then uplifted the document.

Attorney – at – Law, Paul Fung –A – Fat represented the accused and told the Court that she is a mother of three and the sole provider for her family. He said she served the Police Force for thirteen years and is willing to lodge her passport.

He requested bail in a reasonable sum stating that if she is refused bail, then he will have to proceed to the High Court to apply for bail which will be offensive to the Chief Justice, since he is the one who has to approve bail applications in the Supreme Court.

Bail was granted and Small will return to Court on April 3 before the Chief Magistrate. She will also report to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Fraud Squad every Friday.