Two serving members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were this morning slapped with a total of 38 misdemeanour charges in relation to the massive driver’s licence examination scam that was unearthed last April.
Police Corporal Shenese Fraser, 31, of 199 Section ‘A’ Field 7 South Sophia, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
It is alleged that on April 12, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, Fraser conspired with persons to commit a misdemeanour, to which she uttered 18 questionnaires, knowing them to be forged, in that it was not written by eighteen persons, whose name they were in.
Fraser was not required to plead to the indictable charges after they were read to her.
Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry, in an application to secure bail for his client, told the court that Fraser is still a serving member of the GPF.
He added that she is also the confidential secretary to the Acting Traffic Chief.
Meanwhile, also before the same Magistrate was 25-year-old Ryan Gray, a Police Corporal of 215 DaSilva Street, Kitty.
He was slapped with 20 counts of misdemeanour charges.
It is alleged that on April 12, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, he conspired with persons to commit a misdemeanour, to which he uttered questionnaires, knowing them to be forged, in that it was not written by twenty persons, whose name they were in.
He too was not required to plead to the indictable charges.
His lawyer, Mark Conway told the court that his client had been a serving member of the GPF for seven years and has an unblemished record.
Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield had no objection to bail being granted to the defendants but asked that it be in a substantial amount.
The prosecutor cited the serious nature of the offences. He added that conditions be attached to the bail.
The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the prosecution facts, released Fraser on $150, 000 bail and Gray on $160,000.
They were instructed to lodge their passports with the Clerk of Court.
They were also instructed to report every Friday to the fraud section of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) until the completion of the trial.
Both Fraser and Gray are expected to make their next court appearance on August 7, for report.
According to information, on the day in question, Gray and Fraser were responsible for invigilating the examination.
It was reported that on April 12, last, a total of 174 candidates were slated to write the theoretical exam at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown.
The court heard that on the day of the exam only 106 candidates showed up. However, on conclusion of the exam it was discovered that a total of 207 examination papers were submitted.
An investigation was then launched after pastors who allegedly invigilated the examination told officers of the wrongdoing.
More persons, including a Senior Police Officer and a civilian, are expected to be charged for the same offence.
