4 drivers fined $800,000; 4 on $925,000 bail over dangerous, drunk-driving charges

Several Essequibo Coast motorists have appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in recent weeks on charges ranging from driving with excessive alcohol levels and refusing breathalyser tests to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and breach of insurance. On August 5, 37-year-old labourer Milton Granville of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was fined $200,000 after pleading guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence allegedly occurred on March 16, 2026, at La-Bella Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Granville was charged under Section 39B (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
He appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him and he entered a guilty plea. He was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. Also before the court was 47-year-old taxi driver Martin Joseph of Aurora Village, Essequibo Coast, who was charged with dangerous driving. The charge stemmed from an incident on June 22, 2026, at Richmond Public Road involving 21-year-old police officer Vaidram Rabbylall of Lot 44 Sparta, Essequibo Coast. Joseph appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on July 28 and pleaded not guilty. He was granted $100,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to January 20, 2027, for disclosure of statements.
On the same date, 34-year-old labourer Reyon Benn of Bushlot, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on June 21, 2026, at Henrietta Access Road. Benn was charged 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 was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. On July 21, 2026, 33-year-old auto electrician Shaun Rodrigues of Richmond, Essequibo Coast, appeared before the court charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test.
The offence allegedly occurred on July 10 at Anna Regina Public Road. Rodrigues pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to December 8, 2026. On August 4, 28-year-old labourer Estaban Rodrigues of Richmond Housing Scheme pleaded guilty to driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The charge arose from an incident on July 2 at Henrietta Public Road. He was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. Also on August 4, 34-year-old labourer Shurish Ramjattan of Bushlot pleaded guilty to a similar charge stemming from an incident on June 21 at Henrietta Access Road. Ramjattan was also fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment.

Twenty-five-year-old labourer Maria Tovar of Henrietta faced three charges arising from an incident on July 2 at Richmond Public Road: driving while her breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit, driving without a licence and breach of insurance. Tovar appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on August 4 and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. She was granted bail of $200,000 on the charge of driving with a breath alcohol level above the prescribed limit, $50,000 for driving without a licence and $50,000 for breach of insurance.
The court also dealt with a more recent matter involving 23-year-old rice farmer Anthony Lutchman of Plantation Andrews, Essequibo Coast. Lutchman was charged with dangerous driving, refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test and crossing solid double yellow lines following an incident on August 2 at Bushlot Public Road. He appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on August 4 and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 for dangerous driving, $200,000 for refusing to provide a breath specimen and $25,000 for crossing the solid double line, bringing his total bail to $325,000.
The matter was adjourned to August 19.