$200,000 bail for alleged Ayoung Chee kidnapper

Attorneys representing the two men charged with the July 17 kidnapping of 18-year-olds Yves Ayoung Chee and Benedict Barrette yesterday made applications for bail to Port-of-Spain Magistrate Ejenny Espinet. Reginald Gibson, 34, former Special Reserve Police officer (SRP), of Phase Four Beetham Gardens and Kenny Bonnett, 24, businessman, of Eastern Main Road, Laventille, were arrested on July 28 and charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of false imprisonment. The charges were laid by Sgt Lynch of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Defence attorney Ravi Rajcoomar stated that his client, Bonnett, was a TSTT employee and owner of Quick Wash Car Wash. He declared that his client has a “clean criminal record” and if granted bail, he would not attempt to abscond. Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips made an application for bail on Gibson’s behalf saying that his client had never had a brush with the law and that he was presently employed as a supervisor with the NHA. He added that he was an SRP up to late January and had no desire to leave the jurisdiction if granted bail.

The police prosecutor however indicated that Gibson had refused to give his fingerprints to the police and as a result, no tracing had been done on the accused. Godson-Phillips alleged that his client was not approached by the police on the matter of fingerprints. Espinet informed the attorney, “I have no information on your client. He will not be granted bail and will be remanded pending results of tracing.” Bonnett was then granted bail in the sum of $200,000. The matter was adjourned to Monday.