Security Guard jailed, fined $1M for false licence plate

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Leroy Holder, a Security Guard of Lot 25 D’urban Street, Werk-en-Rust, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment on Wednesday, January 21 by Magistrate Judy Latchman on a fraudulent imitation of an identification mark charge.

Holder was also fined $1M after being found guilty of the offence. Particulars of the charge stated that on July 5, 2013 at Camp Street, Georgetown he fraudulently imitated identification marked PNN 5687 on a vehicle registered PNN 8437.

According to the Prosecution’s facts, about 15:30 hours that day ranks were on mobile patrol when they received certain information. The ranks saw motor car PNN 5687 and as a result proceeded towards the vehicle when they saw Holder in the driver seat of the car.

Police Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth disclosed that at the time, Holder was being pursued as a robbery suspect. He said the ranks made checks with the document for the car and noticed that the number plate should have been PNN 8437 and not PNN 5687.

During his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on July 8, 2013 he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter was subsequently transferred to Magistrate Latchman.

During trial, the Prosecutor had called on four witnesses to prove the case against Holder.

In sentencing, the Magistrate said that the Court needs to send a strong message against such a practice and noted that police ranks depend on number plates in the fight against crime.