Two years after his wife was killed in a gruesome accident on a remote trail in the Lethem area (Region Nine), 37-year-old Safraz Amir of Helena Number Two, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara was on Tuesday afternoon arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Safraz Amir with his Attorney
The charge stated that Amir on March 8, 2015 at Pirara Trail, Lethem, in the Central Rupununi District, drove motor van PRR 6731 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Vimala Balgobin.
Defence Attorney Jerome Khan related that his client was currently employed with Abdool Trading as a salesman, and described the incident as the “most unfortunate accident to take place”, reportedly occurring as the couple were making their way to Lethem. Khan, in making a bail application for his client, pointed out that Amir was charged some two years after the occurrence and had never left the jurisdiction during that period, hence making him no flight risk. He added that his client was as innocent as he pleaded and had suffered tremendously from the loss of his wife.
Khan expressed his absolute confidence that the case against Amir was “weak”, attesting that if the Police were sure of his client’s guilt, they would have charged him within the shortest possible time post-accident. The prosecution made no motion to object to bail, which was granted in the sum of $200,000. The matter stands adjourned to June 6, 2017 at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.
