3 Essequibo Coast men fined $270,000 for traffic offences

Three men were fined by Magistrates’ courts on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam), after pleading guilty to separate traffic-related offences under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act.
Paul Griffith, 38, a power plant worker of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Coast Demerara, appeared before the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the matter was heard by Magistrate Tariq Mohamed. He was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test.
The offence occurred on March 13, 2026, along the Somerset and Berks Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was instituted under Section 39B (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Ancestry pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000, with an alternative of two weeks’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

In a separate matter, Azaam Barakat, 62, a farmer of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit.
The offence took place on March 30, 2026, along the Dartmouth Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Barakat appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, also before Magistrate Mohamed. The charge was laid under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 17 of 2022.
He pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000. In default of payment, he faces three months’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Shiva Ram, 28, a labourer of Coconut Dam, Richmond, Essequibo Coast, was charged with failing to have an identification mark affixed to the rear of his vehicle.
The offence occurred on April 11 along the Anna Regina Public Road. Ram appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on April 22, 2026, where he pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mohamed. He was fined $40,000, with a default sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment.
All matters were prosecuted under provisions of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.