$50,000 bail for woman on fraud charges

A 30-YEAR-OLD mother of one appearing in court on 14 counts of credit card fraud was yesterday granted bail in the sum $50,000 to cover all charges. Racquel Mohammed, who out of the 14 charges has four joint charges with her common-law-husband Gregory George, 42, appeared before acting deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington yesterday. George, who was absent from court yesterday, had his bail denied. The couple are being represented by Chateram Sinanan. Last week, when the couple first appeared in court on the charges, court prosecutor Cpl Wendell Fernando recommended summary trial.

Yesterday, Sinanan, in seeking bail for his clients, said Mohammed lived at the same address in La Romaine for 11 years and was not a “flight risk.” He added that the couple have a ten-year-old child. George, the magistrate heard, has one pending matter for larceny of a goat. It is alleged that the instances of credit card fraud were perpetuated from December to mid-February. Around $20,000 is alleged to have been spent in malls, supermarkets and businessplaces from areas within Chaguanas,  Princes Town, Gulf City and San Fernando. Investigations were led by Ag Insp John and included Sgt Frank, Ag Cpl Ken Ghisyawan, Constables Williams, Forbes, Seepersad, Daniel and WPC Lancaster Ellis. PCS Williams, Forbes and Seepersad laid the charges. The case was subsequently adjourned.