Guyanese with false TT driving permit jailed

Mark Bryan Henriquez, 25 of Guyana, who stayed in Couva during his vacation pleaded guilty before Deputy Chief Magistrate, Mark Wellington, of uttering a false permit.

The First San Fernando Magistrate’s Court heard from police court prosecutor Sgt Joey Samaroo that at about 9.15am on Thursday Petrotrin police estate constable Shawn Mohammed was on duty at the front gate of Petrotrin on Pointe-a-Pierre Road, issuing gate passes.

Samaroo told the magistrate that Mohammed after requesting Henriquez driver’s permit discovered that the permit was false.

The court also heard that Mohammed further questioned Henriquez who replied “Boss I really buy it from a lady in Chaguanas for $1,500.

Henriquez was taken to the Marabella police station where he was charged.

When questioned by Wellington about the offence he committed, Henriquez remained silent for five minutes, and then softly stated he used the false driver’s permit as a form of identification.

The accused man further told Wellington that he over-stayed his time in Trinidad as he was supposed to spend six months.

Attorney Bahace Patti, however told the magistrate that Henriquez overstayed his time in Trinidad as work was difficult in Guyana, and he was working to take care of his wife who is also pregnant.

But the attorney said that Henriquez knew it was wrong to have a false permit, and it should not be condoned.

“But what was he doing with a false permit?” Wellington enquired.

Henriquez was sentenced to six months hard labour.