Policeman on 40 fraud charges

PC Parris appeared in the First Court before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John who read out the 40 which included obtaining $83,100 from Ian Gibbons, 72, of San Fernando.

Parris of Marabella, has two and half years’ service in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Cpl Darwain Badree of the Fraud Squad charged him with nine counts of uttering cheques; nine counts each of larceny of cheque leaves; forgery of cheque and obtaining money in the sum of $83,100.

Additionally, Parris was charged with four counts of money laundering in which the charges allege he purchased two cellular phones, a car, a seven- piece dining set and a twintub washer. The alleged offences occurred between the period October 12 and November 30, 2015 in the Marabella and Couva districts. All charges were laid indictably and he was not called upon to plea Senior Supt Totaram Dookie, ASP Ken Ghisyawan together with Cpls Badree, Bachoo, Ramdath and Hosein conducted enquiries with the assistance of PCs Lively-John, Kissoonsingh, Cummings, Solozano and Lutchman.

Attorney Subhas Panday, made a bail application for Parris saying his client has no previous convictions, is a father of two and has a fixed place of abode. Court prosecutor Cleydon Seedan suggested to the court that if Parris is the holder of a valid TT Passport, it must be surrendered to the police as a condition of bail being granted. Magistrate Forde- John granted Parris $250,000 bail to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace with a $75,000 cash bail alternative. As a condition to the bail bond, Parris was ordered to report to the Fraud Squad Office twice a week, stay at least 500 metres from Gibbons’ property and not to have any contact whatsoever with him. She adjourned the case to March 16.

Twelve of the 40 charges were allegedly committed in the Couva area so Magistrate Forde-John transferred those cases to the Couva Magistrates Court.