2 charged with kidnapping boy

Persad was kidnapped close to his school, ASJA Primary School, at about 4.30 pm. A ransom of $250,000 was demanded from his parents for his safe release. He was reportedly found three days later walking along a road in St Augustine.

Cedeno read the kidnapping charge to Gumbs and Glasgow, who were not called upon to plea. Gumbs is a friend of the Persad family in St Julien Village.

Gumbs was also charged by PC Dowlat with wasteful employment of police time. The charge alleged that Gumbs caused Persad’s mother Navi Barran and Gary Phillip to make a false report to the Port-of-Spain CID on June 12 that he (Gumbs) was kidnapped. Attorneys Richard Valere and Petronella Basdeo represented the accused.

Valere told the magistrate under the amended Bail Act, his clients were not entitled to bail.

Bail takes effect, he added, if after six months the State does not start the case.

Valere requested that the prosecution make available to him the disclosures in the case, including a statement given to the police by Gumbs.

The attorney indicated to the magistrate that the defence would be ready to proceed once the relevant documents were in his possession.

Cedeno instructed police prosecutor Tarran Mohan to ensure the necessary disclosures to the defence are made within 14 days.

The magistrate adjourned the kidnapping case to June 30 and transferred the other charge against Gumbs, to the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court to June 26.