4 fined $620,000 for drunk driving, breathalyser test offences

Four men appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) last week, where they were fined after pleading guilty to offences related to driving under the influence of alcohol and refusing to provide breath samples. The matters were heard before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir.
Purmeshwar Dhaniram, a 41-year-old taxi driver of Bounty Hall, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on March 7 at Bounty Hall, Essequibo Coast.
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. Dhaniram pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. He was fined $200,000- or six-months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

Marcus Junior Berin, a 30-year-old taxi driver of Three Friends, Essequibo Coast, was also charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on March 8, 2026, at Mainstay Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Berin 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 pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000-or six-months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid. In another matter, Jason Clay, a 41-year-old fire officer of Henrietta Public Road, Essequibo Coast, appeared before the court on a similar charge. Clay was accused of driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit on February 27, at Mainstay Public Road. Clay was also charged under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended. After pleading guilty, he was fined $200,000- or six-months’ imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid. Meanwhile, Davin Persaud, a 40-year-old teacher of Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast, was charged with refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence occurred on March 7, 2026, at Colombia Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Persaud was charged under Section 39B (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $20,000- or three-weeks’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.