Popular Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) businessman, Freeman Fordyce has once again found himself in hot water and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to face charges alleging that he trafficked two female foreigners.
Fordyce, the owner of a Diamond nightclub, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the two charges which stated that between September and November of 2018, he transported and harboured the two Venezuelan women for sexual exploitation.
The 41-year-old man of Nandy Park, EBD, was represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to bail being granted, informing the court that Fordyce poses a flight risk. According to the prosecutor, Fordyce was previously charged for possession of an illegal firearm and as a condition for bail, he had to report to the police station once weekly but failed to do so.
The prosecution is contending that the Venezuelans were arrested during a police roadblock on November 3, 2018, and were escorted to the Criminal Investigation Department after they failed to provide their identification cards to Police ranks.
However, while in Police custody, the women claimed that during September of 2018, they were seeking employment when an employee of Fordyce offered them a job, to work as prostitutes at the nightclub.
The victims’ passports were allegedly ceased by the defendant, who reportedly told them that the documents would be returned when they repaid their travel expenses.
The Chief Magistrate upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Fordyce to prison. The case will continue on May 8, 2019.
Only recently, Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty handed down a four-year suspended sentence to the defendant after he was convicted on charges of gun and ammunition possession.
In addition, Fordyce is on trial for allegedly assaulting and resisting arrest from a police officer.
