ourteen women killed in 11 months

Nov 10, 2016 News 0 Comments

Fourteen women have lost their lives in domestic dispute between January and October 2016. According to data, compiled by the Ministry of Social Protection Documentation Centre, that figure represents three fewer women who were killed by their husbands, boyfriends or ex-partners, for the same period last year. The victims were between the ages 28 and 75 years old.
Representatives of the documentation centre noted the slight decline in the number of women killed in domestic violence scenarios will easily go unnoticed since it has become a norm.
They pointed to the 2015 Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) survey which showed that domestic violence is relatively accepted in Guyana.
According to surveys carried out between 2006 and 2014, respondents were asked whether they would or would not approve of a man hitting his wife if she had been unfaithful. They were also asked whether they would not approve but understand the abuse.
LAPOP recorded 10.2% of respondents approved while 25.4% of respondents did not approve of the abuse but understood. Further, 64.4% of respondents neither approved nor understood the abuse.
“This has been the cultural norm and the nation needs to move away from this. Try to eradicate domestic violence killing and gender-based violence.”
The information compiled by the documentation centre outlined that the first domestic murder for the year was committed against Hafeeza Rohoman, 28 of Helena Mahiachony on January 7, 2016. The next act was committed against Leolyn Sullivan, of Wismar Linden. She was stabbed 31 times in a neighbour’s yard after she had jumped through a window in an effort to escape.
She died while receiving treatment at the Linden Hospital.
Her reputed husband, Lawrence Carter, was taken into custody shortly after. On January 21, the battered body of 41-year-old Bibi Zabida Khan was found in a trench at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, one day after she went missing from her Seaview, Stewartville home.
A postmortem revealed that the woman had been beaten and strangled. Her reputed husband, Randolph Williams, who disappeared after the woman went missing, committed suicide a few months later.
On April 18, the partially decomposed body of 23-year-old Simone Hackett was discovered in a trench at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, a few days after she left her home to collect a package which her reputed husband had reportedly sent from the interior with a friend.
Her throat was slit and she was stabbed at least twice to her back and neck.
A few days after the discovery was made, her reputed husband, Clevon Hamilton, and an alleged accomplice were charged.
On May 9, 50-year-old Bagwanttie Persaud, called “Kamini” of 196 Mangroo Street, Rose Hall was chopped to death, allegedly by her reputed husband, 52-year-old Desmond Gordon.
On May 31, security guard Latchmin Shivpujan called “Radika” of Lot 3233 Crane Old Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was found murdered in her home. Her body bore several stab wounds.
Neighbours said that they heard the woman screaming for help the night before the gruesome discovery was made but no one saw anyone entering her home.
A male security guard, with whom she had a relationship, is among four taken into custody for questioning.

Even top PNC brown noser Chris Ram ain't immune from the ravages of crime under the PNC.

Burglars invade home of Christopher Ram’s son

Nov 10, 2016 News 0 Comments

The door that was broken by the bandits

Burglars invaded the home of the son of prominent accountant, Christopher Ram, early yesterday and escaped with approximately $1.2M in valuables.
This occurred some time between 01:00 hr and 04:00 hrs at the 34-year-old man’s Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar home.
The suspects escaped with a television, a music set, a watch, computer, electrical appliances, clothing and foreign currency.
In a statement yesterday, Christopher Ram Jnr said, “Between the hours of 11:00 PM on Tuesday when I turned in to bed, and 4:00 AM on Wednesday, when I woke up, my home in Prashad Nagar was burgled and almost every portable thing of value taken away.”
The victim said that he relied on his two dogs for protection purposes but one of the animals was injured—He suggested that the bandits might have had something to do with this.
The men gained entry into Ram’s home by damaging the lock on his door in the upper flat of the property.
Ram said that he was disappointed when he called 911 to report what had happened.
“When I called 911, I was cut off on three occasions and on the fourth occasion I was told that since the burglars had already left I would need to go down to the Police Station to make a report.”
He explained that the area where he lived has been a target for burglars and bandits.
“The President has said that he would like to see fewer weapons in the hands of private citizens and that these should be left to the law enforcement agencies. As good as this may sound, in practice, it means that citizens are left to the mercy of the bandits and an ineffective public security system.”
He lamented that “even though I am a US citizen, I returned to Guyana to pursue a career and to live in a country I would love to call home.
I am the Manager and CEO of a Human Resources company, Accedo, and part of our efforts is to persuade members of the Diaspora to return and work in Guyana.
“This experience will affect the conviction with which I can continue to do so.
Indeed, the incompetence and insensitivity of the Police now force me to reconsider my decision about Guyana.”

Man walks into hospital with ‘ice pick’ in back

Nov 11, 2016 News 0 Comments

…after telling Rasta man to eat salt

A 23-year-old man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) around 15:00 hrs yesterday with an ice-pick stuck in his back. This was after he reportedly told a “Rasta man” to eat salt.

Seyon Persaud

The victim has been identified as Seyon Persaud of Leopold Street, Georgetown.
According to information received, Persaud was walking near Stabroek Market in Georgetown with a friend, Sherwin Anthony, when the suspect looked at them and shouted, “fire, fire.”
The victim reportedly then told the suspect to go and eat salt. This resulted in the assailant going into his bag and rushing up to the man with an ice-pick in his hand and stabbing him in the back.
Upon seeing his friend attacked, Anthony ran for his life. Persaud was rushed to the hospital with the weapon protruding from his body.
Police sources yesterday said that no one has been arrested. Statements were taken from Anthony and a description of the suspect was given to the police.
At the hospital yesterday, Anthony said that he and Persaud were heading to the Wales Police Station on the West Bank Demerara to bail Persaud’s partner when the attack took place.
Up to press time, the victim was still receiving treatment at the GPHC’s Emergency Unit.

PM reveals Mazaruni welder died from head injuries; two arrested

Nov 11, 2016 News 0 Comments

– mother seeks answers

A post mortem (PM) that was conducted on the body of 44-year-old Timothy Fraser, a welder who worked in the Mazaruni River, has revealed that he died from blunt trauma to the head.

Dead: Timothy Fraser

The autopsy which was done by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on Wednesday further made known that Fraser would have been dead two days prior to him being reported missing by colleagues.
This has prompted investigators to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fraser’s death.
According to reports reaching Kaieteur News, two men are currently in police custody, while investigators are on the hunt for several others.
Fraser’s body was fished out of the Mazaruni River last Sunday. The welder who hails from Savannah Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, was employed with a mining company when co-workers reported him missing.
Mother of the dead man, Valerie Fraser, was adamant in her belief that something was amiss in relation to her son’s death after she received conflicting stories of how he died. She said that from all initial reports given to her, Fraser drowned in the Mazaruni waters.
She was told by his colleagues that Fraser was dressed in his work attire awaiting a boat to collect him but after some time had passed he allegedly decided to go for a swim.
Her son’s colleagues alleged that when the boat arrived his clothing was seen but Fraser was nowhere in sight.
Another story given to her was that Fraser was sitting on a boat when he accidentally fell overboard. She stated that she was also told that her son would have gone to another location to work.
The distraught woman is seeking answers for her son’s demise since the family is of the firm belief that the welder was asleep and was beaten before eventually being transported by boat and dumped in the river.
None of the welder’s working equipment and clothing could be found in the camp. Investigations are continuing.

Man gunned down in Albouystown following dispute

Nov 12, 2016 News 0 Comments

A 27-year-old father of one was gunned down around 06:30 hrs yesterday at La Penitence

Dead: Michael
Junior Payne

Street, Albouystown, when he went to collect a bicycle from a man, who he was involved in an argument with the night before at Ketley Street, Charlestown.
The dead man has been identified as Michael Junior Payne of Tuckeit Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens.
Payne, who operated a small shop at Ketley Street, was shot to the head, chest and upper left hand. He was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Hospital.
According to information received, Payne and the suspect were involved in a bitter argument, around 22:00 hrs on Thursday, during which Payne left and went into his shop.
The other individual allegedly picked up Payne’s bicycle and rode away.
Around 06:00 hrs yesterday, Payne, along with a cousin, went to the suspect’s home at La Penitence Street, Albouystown, to collect the bicycle.
Acting Commander of ‘A’ Division, Calvin Brutus said that based on information received, Payne and his cousin called out for the suspect, but after receiving no response, they decided to bang on the door a couple of times.
Kaieteur News was told that it was while banging on the door that neighbours heard several gunshots coming from the suspect’s home.
Payne sustained three gunshot wounds, while his cousin managed to escape without injuries and is assisting the police with information.
The suspect, who has been identified as “Beggar” has not been arrested as yet.
At Payne’s relatives’ home in Charlestown yesterday, a female cousin named Ashanti said that they were informed that their relative was involved in an argument the night before with someone from Albouystown. They suspected that his death is linked to the same individual.
The young lady recalled that they were at home when someone came and informed them that the young man had been shot in Albouystown.
She refuted claims that the now dead man was a person of questionable character, but stressed that, “He is not a problem child, but if you come in he way, normal thing.”
Meanwhile, the family stressed that it was only a few months ago that they lost one of their relatives, O’Riley Small, who was riddled with bullets by a gunman dressed in a “hoodie”. The 31-year-old Smyth Street resident was shot at least ten times just as he returned home after a night out at one of the city’s night spots.

Irate tenant shoots landlord in legs

Nov 13, 2016 News 0 Comments

Police are attempting to locate a 30-year-old man who allegedly shot his landlord multiple times to his legs on Friday night because he was warned to discontinue conducting illegal business on the property.
The victim, Basil Murray, 66, of Lot 89 Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, owns and rents a three-storey property at Lot 360 Melanie Damishana ECD, where the suspect is one of his tenants.
About 21.15 hrs on Friday, Murray was making a routine visit to his property when he met the suspect in the yard and told him he learnt that the tenant was selling narcotics on his premises.
When Murray demanded that his tenant desist, an argument ensued and the suspect allegedly whipped out a handgun and shot Murray twice to both legs before fleeing.
The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted in a stable condition.
Investigators retrieved seven spent shells of a small calibre weapon at the scene.

Chinese chef shot, robbed of cash, cell phone

Nov 14, 2016 News 0 Comments

A twenty-eight year old Chinese chef was shot and robbed just after midnight outside his Bonasika Street, section ‘K’ Campbellville home.
A release stated that Coa Ben Fei was shot in the upper right thigh, and is in a stable condition at a private hospital.
According to the release, Ben Fei had just exited his car and opened his gate when three men, including one armed with a handgun, accosted and relieved him of his cell phone, chain and $80,000 cash.
During that process, the armed suspect shot the chef in the thigh, before escaping with his accomplices in a dark-coloured car.
The wounded man was rushed to Woodlands Hospital. Investigators retrieved a 9mm shell at the scene. No arrests have yet been made.
Fei is the latest victim of a spate of recent brazen robberies.
Just a few days ago, an unmasked gunman walked into a Popeye’s outlet in Water Street and shot money changer Vishwahnauth Nouwbat.
Reports are that the father of one and his girlfriend were having a meal when the gunman, who reportedly had an accomplice waiting outside, approached Nouwbat and ordered him to hand over money.
The man’s girlfriend said that he refused to comply, and the gunman shot her partner to the left side abdomen.

Man kills farmer, dumps corpse in river

Nov 14, 2016 News 0 Comments

Police are likely to charge three men soon in connection with the murder of a Kamarang farmer, who was clubbed to death and dumped in a river.
A police release stated that one of the men has confessed to killing Dexter Edwards. Police are to seek legal advice today on the case. The partially decomposed body of Edwards, a 27 year old farmer of Pariuma River, Kamarang, was discovered on November 5 in the Ochi Top River in Kamarang by a group of campers.
A post mortem revealed that Edwards died from multiple injuries.
It is alleged that Edwards was drinking with friends when an argument ensued and one of the men struck the farmer in the head with a length of wood. The assailant then dumped the body in the Pariuma River.
In another release, police said that ranks, acting on   information, searched a house at Seventeenth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, at around 00:30hrs yesterday.
They allegedly found a 23 year old fisherman who was hiding in the ceiling of the one-flat residence. He was allegedly in possession of an unlicensed .32 pistol with two matching rounds.
The suspect and two female occupants were detained.
A ballistic test is being conducted to determine if the weapon was used in the commission of any crime. Meanwhile, three labourers from Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, will soon be arraigned before a Magistrate to answer to a charge of break and enter and larceny, which occurred between November 9-11, 2016 at Henrietta Village, Essequibo.
Stolen and recovered are two flat screen television sets, one camera monitor, other articles and cash.

Gunmen beat, rob Mahaicony family

Nov 14, 2016 News 0 Comments

Members of a Mahaicony family were tied up, beaten and robbed by three gunmen at around 01.30 hrs yesterday.
The family members said that unmasked men escaped with cash, jewellery and cell phones after invading their Lot 2 Planters Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara home.
According to information received, the unmasked men entered the two-storey home and held the owner, Boodram Manie and his brother and nephew at gunpoint.
Kaieteur News understands that Manie, 45, a bus driver, and the other men were outside the home conversing when the bandits attacked.
They were gun butted and forced into a bedroom, where the intruders tied up Manie’s 15-year-old son, his male cousin and the two male relatives.
While one of the gunmen kept guard in that bedroom, the others carried Manie upstairs to his bedroom, where they ordered him to lie face down before tying his hands and feet.

A section of the ransacked bedroom

The bus driver said that the gunmen ordered him to hand over cash and jewellery. He directed them to a wardrobe where he kept the items. He said that they took $100,000, $US300, a gold chain and five smartphones.
He stated that the ordeal lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes, during which the gunmen ransacked his home and threatened to kill him if he attempted to answer his cell phone.
The gunmen reportedly escaped in a waiting car. And according to Manie, he is certain they arrived in a similar manner, but might have parked the vehicle a few blocks away.
The matter was reported to the Mahaicony Police Station.
Around noon yesterday, police ranks were at the home conducting investigations.
The house where Manie and his son have been residing for several years, has no security cameras.

Suspected sheep thief shot dead by police

Nov 16, 2016 News 0 Comments

An unidentified man was yesterday shot by police ranks in Berbice who were responding to a larceny of sheep report. The man who’s only name was given as “Blackie” allegedly pointed a loaded firearm at the lawmen and was fatally shot by one of the ranks with a service revolver, about 06:20 hrs in a farm house at Lochaber Village, West Canje, Berbice.
According to the police, three police ranks, one armed with a service weapon, proceeded to a farmhouse at Lochaber Village, West Canje, and were immediately confronted at the entrance by the aforementioned individual.
The man allegedly rushed back into the house, armed himself with a handgun and attempted to shoot the armed policeman who had followed closely behind him. During the confrontation,the rank discharged his firearm several times at the suspect who fell. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An unlicensed silver Taurus pistol and six live matching rounds were retrieved.
The house was searched and the following articles were found: One Plum phone, two silver finger rings, one silver chain, one Compaq Laptop Computer, and several electronic gadgets. The first four items were positively identified by Ravendra Bipram, 27, of Anchorville, Port Mourant, Berbice, as his property. He was allegedly robbed at gunpoint on November 11, 2016, at Smythfield Access Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice, by a male fitting the description of the deceased.
Police sources stated that the house is allegedly owned by a known convict who lives at Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam. As a result, a team of police went to the alleged owner’s Mount Sinai home and arrested a 28-year-old male from Sand Hills, Berbice River, after an unlicensed Taurus pistol with ten (10) live matching rounds was found on his person.
That house was also searched, and one laptop computer, seven cellular phones and a pair of binoculars were found. Two motor cycles, a motor car and a lighting plant were seized.
Meanwhile, Toolsie Baljit, speaking to Kaieteur News disclosed that his grandson Yoganand Baljit aka “Buju” had been operating a livestock farm at Industry, situated up the Canje River. He stated that his grandson had only bought the flock of sheep about a month ago.
The elder Baljit told this publication that upon a visit to his home on Saturday evening, three masked men, armed with two firearms, went to the farm and tied up his guard, he stated that the men allegedly covered the guard’s face with a bag, to avoid being identified, and then threw him into a hammock while they stole 30 sheep and left.
The man stated that his grandson went to the farm the following day and found the guard bound. He was eventually untied and both men proceeded to the nearest police station where a report was made.
According to Baljit, they received information that the sheep were offloaded from a boat at Vryheid and taken in a white canter to the location where the man was shot and killed.
Reports are that the owner identified twelve of the sheep to be his. It was after this that police approached the house and the man was shot.
Reliable sources state that the dead man lived on the Essequibo Coast, and had been engaged in farming of cannabis up the Berbice River for several months.
Investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, some residents in the Vryheid/Lochaber area expressed their fear and disgust, as they revealed that the area is plagued with criminal activity. According to one resident the men are “barefaced” in their actions, but very little is being done.

Barefaced thief caught red-handed with TV

Nov 17, 2016 News 0 Comments

The suspect who was captured yesterday

A barefaced thief was caught yesterday morning leaving the home of a La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) resident with a television set and other items. Residents of the community said it was as if he was the occupant of the property and was moving out.

Luckily, neighbours were able to determine that he was not from there and apprehended him.

According to information received, the young man along with other workers was doing construction work at the house a few days ago, but returned by himself around 09:45 hrs yesterday and removed a few louvre panes from a window to enter the building.

The neighbours saw the man fetching a television and other items and chased after him. He was apprehended by two men and tied up before he was handed over to the police. The young man was well dressed.

Two admit to killing Berbice carpenter on businessman’s orders

Nov 18, 2016 News 0 Comments

After he rejected the sexual advances of an overseas-based businessman, Faiyaz Narinedatt was

Faiyaz Narinedatt

murdered, dumped on a roadway on the Number 70 Village, Corentyne Public Road, and a vehicle driven over his body to make it seem that he was an accident victim.
That is the bizarre admission that two of his alleged killers have given to detectives, who have detained seven suspects in connection with the murder of the 36-year-old carpenter on November 1.
Police also have a statement from a witness who revealed how the killing was staged to look like a hit-and-run accident.
The suspects include two youths aged 17 and 18, and known as ‘Bruck Hand’ and ‘Cheese Mouth.’ The ages of the others range from 20 to 49. Some of the aliases were given as “Patchie’, ‘Lloydie’’Rado’ and ‘Zubir.’
The businessman who allegedly ordered the killing has reportedly returned overseas.
The case broke this week after ranks from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) took over the investigation.
Initially, it was reported that the father of two was killed in a hit-and-run accident around 04:00 hrs on the Number 70 Village Public Road on November1.
But the victim’s injuries seemed to suggest that he was beaten. There was also no evidence of an accident occurring at the spot where the body was found.
Raising further suspicion was the fact that Narinedatt’s bloody shirt was found about two corners from his corpse. There were also bloodstains at the scene.
One of the persons, who at first gave ranks a misleading statement, was said to be the person who washed the blood from a car the killers used to transport the body. Police have impounded two vehicles.
According to a police source, a key witness has come forward and told police that on the day of the murder, the overseas-based Guyanese had a party at his home and the victim, the eyewitness and a few other persons were present.
It is being reported that while the party was going on, the father of two went to the back of the yard to urinate after which the overseas-based Guyanese allegedly went behind him and started “feeling him up”.
“Narinedatt slapped him (the overseas-based Guyanese) and went back in front, but he (the overseas-based Guyanese) walked up and told his friends to kill him.”
According to reports, the businessman told the men that he would ensure that they weren’t caught.
Kaieteur News understands that several men then beat Narinedatt at the businessman’s premises. He was then taken to a roadway and beaten until he fell into a drain.
The men then took the seemingly unconscious carpenter by vehicle to Number 70 Village, Corentyne.
After dumping Narinedatt on the roadway, one of the men drove a vehicle over the carpenter.
The eyewitness’s statement is consistent with more than a dozen other reports that the family received from persons who called them anonymously.
The victim’s wife only delivered their second child five months ago in the US.

Edinburgh man robbed, shot at during home invasion

Nov 20, 2016 News 0 Comments

A 23-year-old truck driver of Lot 1126 Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice, is counting his blessings after being shot at during an armed robbery at his home.

Home of Edinburgh truck driver, Jason Hussain.

According to a police source, Jason Hussain, who lives with his wife, three-month-old baby, brother-in-law and mother-in-law, was alone at home when he heard a noise in one of the rooms in the house.
Hussain told investigators that he was having dinner at the time and got up to check when he saw a man armed with a cutlass and masked, already halfway through the window entering the house. He stated that he threw his plate with food in the perpetrators face to distract him and ran towards the front door. It was while opening the door that he was confronted by two other masked men, dressed in black clothes and gloves, armed with a cutlass and gun.
The bandit holding the gun allegedly fired a shot in Hussain’s direction but he dodged, the bullet hit a refrigerator that was located behind him and passed through. Hussain told investigators that he fell to ground while both men entered the house and eventually tied him up before he could raise an alarm to alert his neighbours.
He added that while he was tied up the men ransacked the home in search of cash and jewellery. The perpetrators searched two of the three bedrooms since only two were occupied.
Hussain disclosed that the men escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, two gold wedding rings belonging to himself and wife, a Plum cellular phone and some other gold jewellery belonging to his mother-in-law.
He stated that his mother-in-law and wife were not at home when the robbery occurred. The man also stated that after the bandits escaped he managed to untie himself and alerted the neighbours and the authorities who responded swiftly.
Hussain told police that the perpetrators would not have escaped with much money since they do not keep large sums of cash in their home due to religious beliefs.
The police source stated that the police response time has reduced tremendously as a result of the upcoming Christmas season with more patrols active on the roadways.
When Kaieteur News showed up at the house, the mother-in-law, Angelina Sattaur, stated that she was too traumatized to speak to the media. The robbery took place at approximately 20:00 hrs Friday night.
No one has since been arrested and investigations continue.

So much for jackass Granger's claim that bandits are using guns supplied by private citizens. 

Gun found in dead bandit’s possession belonged to senior police rank

Nov 20, 2016 News 0 Comments

Bandit was sentenced to two years in jail in absence

The gun found in the possession of the dead bandit, Romel Hoppie, has been confirmed to

Dead bandit: Rondel Hoppie

belong to a senior police officer (Assistant Superintendent Trotz) whose firearm was stolen during a robbery at his Tuschen home.
According to a source the bandit was shot dead during an altercation with the police at Locaber, West Canje, Berbice. He was an ex-policeman who had a long list of criminal activities.
The convict went by the name Romel Hoppie called Blackie, and not Rondell Marks as was stated by his mother, Monica Marks. It was also found that the man hailed from Dartmouth, Essequibo, and not Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo.
According to information, the man after leaving the police force turned to a life of crime. He moved to the interior where he committed a number of misdemeanors. He is also accused of stealing a shotgun in the Pomeroon, Essequibo area during 2010.
He returned to the coast and committed a number of crimes in and around Georgetown. He was charged with robbery while being a Bus conductor
Hoppie a father of four, who police say has been avoiding serving a jail sentence, was charged with the offence of robbery with violence.
On May 28, at Plum Park, Sophia, Hoppie of 215 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, robbed Mario Eversley of a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone valued $110,000 while making use of personal violence on the victim.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Gillian Simons opposed bail on the ground that the accused was currently wanted by police to serve a jail sentence. She explained that Hoppie was sentenced in absentia to two years’ imprisonment at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
However, Magistrate Moore stated that a warrant should have been issued for the defendant.
Prosecutor Simons also said that the defendant was currently under investigations at several police stations, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown, in relation to similar offences.
Hoppie who defended himself, told the court that he did not rob the complainant. The route 41 bus conductor argued that the complainant had “jammed” one of his lights and gave him the cell phone.
But he did not specify whether the complainant gave him the item as compensation or for any other purpose. Hoppie claimed that the only reason why he was locked up was because Eversley has “police family”.
Initially, bail was set at $75,000 for the defendant. After telling the Magistrate that his bus was impounded by police and that he had owed one month installment, Hoppie pleaded with the court for bail reduction which was granted.
He remained on the run ever since until his demise.