Hotelier, alleged ‘hitman’ further remanded

Rockies Hotel owner and his alleged ‘hitman’, who were jointly accused of conspiring to kill a businessman in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), were further remanded to prison when they made their Court appearance on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Fifty-seven-year-old Mark Grimmond, a hotelier of Lot 320 Grove, Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and Chatterpaul Singh, a 36-year-old miner of Lot 1 First Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, were charged with the offence on June 13, 2019. It is alleged that between April 1, 2018, and June 7, 2019, at Georgetown, they conspired with each other and persons unknown to kill Dwayne Grant.
When the case was called on Thursday, Prosecutor Neville Jeffers disclosed that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry.
The men’s lawyers renewed bail applications on their clients’ behalf but the Chief Magistrate further remanded the men to prison on the grounds that no special reason was given for the pre-trial liberty to be granted.
Reports are the victim, who is a businessman in Lethem, reported to the Police that he received information that the defendants were plotting to kill him.
An investigation was then carried out and Police went to a hotel where they made contact with Singh. He was then arrested and a firearm was allegedly found in his possession.
When questioned, Singh reportedly gave detailed a conversation with the ranks and allegedly admitted that he and Grimmond were planning to kill Grant.
The Prosecutor told the Court that officers were able to receive telephone recordings between the defendants and following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the duo were charged with the offence.
The duo were further remanded to prison and the case will continue on July 24.