4 Essequibo Coast drivers fined $310,000 for traffic offences

…1 granted $100,000 bail

Several motorists appeared before the Anna Regina and Charity Magistrates’ Courts during the past week, where they faced a range of traffic-related offences under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act and related legislation.
At the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 24-year-old construction worker Parmeshwar Persaud of Richmond, Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test.
The offence occurred on May 17 at Richmond Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Persaud was charged under Section 39B(5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir imposed a fine of $25,000, with three weeks’ imprisonment in default of payment.
Also appearing before the court on the same charge was 36-year-old labourer Vinod Kumar Williams of Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast. Williams pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen following an incident on May 17, 2026, at Richmond Public Road.
He was fined $25,000, with two weeks’ imprisonment in default of payment.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old electrician Oswin McKenzie of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, was charged with dangerous driving following an incident on May 17, 2026, at Queenstown Public Road.
The charge alleges that McKenzie drove dangerously in relation to Marion Jones, a 48-year-old bodywork technician of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. McKenzie pleaded not guilty when the matter was heard before Magistrate Mohabir on June 16.
He was granted bail in the sum of $100,000, and the matter was adjourned to November 10 for the commencement of trial.
In a separate matter before the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 30-year-old hire car driver Travis Walcott of the Charity Extension Scheme, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit.
The offence occurred on June 12, 2026, at Charity Public Road. Walcott 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.
Magistrate Mohabir fined him $200,000, with six months’ imprisonment in default of payment.
Also before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court was 32-year-old labourer Shashi Bishuster of Dry Shore, Essequibo Coast, who faced charges of being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance, and having an obscured rear identification mark.
The offences occurred on June 7, 2026, at Fairfield Public Road. Bishuster pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on June 12.
He was fined $30,000 for being an unlicensed driver and a further $30,000 for breach of insurance. Both offences carry a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment if the fines are not paid.
Regarding the obscured rear identification mark charge, the magistrate reprimanded and discharged Bishuster based on his explanation to the court.
His total fines amounted to $60,000.