Jamaican national fined for trying to obtain false Guyanese birth certificate

A Jamaican national was fined $75,000 after admitting to making a false declaration in an attempt to obtain a Guyanese birth certificate under a fake name, with the aim of facilitating travel to Europe.
Adrian Anthony Williamson appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where the charge was formally read to him.
The court heard that on Tuesday, April 29, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, Williamson knowingly signed a statutory declaration claiming he was born in Guyana and that his name was Jamal McAndrew; a claim he knew to be false.
In court, Williamson said he was currently staying on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and explained that he had no family in Guyana. He stated he was originally from Jamaica, and travelled to Guyana with the intent to travel to other countries. He said he was advised by a friend that securing Guyanese documents could help him travel to Europe. He told the Magistrate it was never his intention to remain in Guyana.
“I know what I did was wrong,” he said, apologising to the Magistrate and pleading for leniency. “I have no one here, and I’m willing to pay a fine, please, my worship.”
The prosecution objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offence and pointing out that it carries a possible prison term of up to one year.
Despite the objection, Magistrate Azore considered Williamson’s remorse and circumstances, and ultimately imposed a fine of $75,000 instead of custodial sentencing.