Law student in court for fraud

They are to return today before a Couva magistrate. The three were arrested at their home in Couva by Fraud Squad detectives led by Assistant Supt Totaram Dhookie.

Abigail Parris, 21, sister Cecilia, 27, and Richard Mitchell, 31, appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John who read three charges to them that on February 21, they conspired to defraud the First Citizens Bank in Couva. The sum represents the proceeds of a loan in which they alleged to have falsely represented that Abigail was employed with the San Fernando City Corporation. The magistrate read two charges to Abigail that she uttered a forged valuable security, namely a payslip and a job letter. A charge was read to Cecelia, that in February, she stole a stamp valued $250 from the San Fernando City Corporation.

Police Constable Khalil Hosein laid the charge. The three pleaded not guilty. Attorney Chantal Paul appeared for the three and pleaded for bail to be granted to them. She said her clients had no previous or pending charges. Court prosecutor PC Phillip Ramnath, had no objections to bail being granted.

Magistrate Forde-John, however, transfered the cases to the Couva Magistrates’ court and remanded the three into custory to return to court today. The magistrate granted Cecelia bail in the sum of $5,000 in respect of the larceny of the stamp. That case was adjourned to December 5.