Dumping of derelict vehicle charge against Edghill dropped

Some four months after being charged with breaching the City’s by-laws by “dumping a derelict vehicle” on the side of the road, a City Magistrate on Wednesday dismissed the case against People’s Progressive Party/Civic Parliamentarian Juan Edghill.

In April, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) brought charges against Edghill, accusing him of covering the southern parapet outside his Sugar Cane Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, home with a derelict vehicle.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge with his Attorney Sase Gunraj, challenging the charge on two grounds: one, that the definition of derelict vehicle in the charge was wrong; and two, if instituting such a charge the prosecution must be able to establish ownership of the vehicle.
The prosecution had contended that the vehicle was in a derelict state when the former Minister was spoken to by a Constable. He reportedly admitted to being the owner of the vehicle and was given two weeks to remove it from the parapet.
It was further pointed out that all four wheels of the said vehicle were deflated, hence it’s derelict state. But Edghill maintained that the vehicle is in full working order.
Nevertheless, the trial went on for close to four months, following which the court found the testimony of City Constable Anasha Williamson to be manifestly unreliable. Williamson’s testimony was found to be inconsistent, incoherent and contradictory, which clearly revealed that the charge was designed by the City authorities to embarrass and defame Edghill, a sitting Member of Parliament.
Despite having won the case, Edghill is however seriously concerned about the abuse of the judicial process to target, intimidate and victimise Guyanese for political and other purposes.
“I am urging that we continue to build a society where social justice, fairness and equity are upheld by all. Furthermore, I encourage public servants and officials in the employ of the State to be professional and refuse being used as instruments to settle political scores by the APNU/AFC Administration,” he posited.