In four unrelated incidents, magistrates in Anna Regina and Lethem have presided over charges against men accused of driving with excess alcohol, with penalties ranging from fines to potential jail time.
Case 1: Farmer Pleads Not Guilty, Set for Trial
ANNA REGINA – Leon Daymeion De Silva, a 48-year-old mixed-ancestry farmer of Lot 68 Hibernia, Essequibo Coast, appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 21, 2026, before His Worship Mr. Ravindra Mohabir.
De Silva was charged with Driving Whilst Breath Alcohol Level Exceeded the Prescribed Limit, an offence allegedly committed on Public Justice (sic) at Cotton Field Public Road, Essequibo Coast, on the same date. 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.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. The matter has been adjourned to October 1, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Case 2: Rupununi Driver Pleads Guilty, Fined $200,000
LETHEM – Junior Clement, a male Guyanese of Amerindian descent from Hiawa Village, Central Rupununi, appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court before His Worship Magistrate Mr. Omadatt Chandan, where he pleaded guilty to two traffic offences committed on Monday, May 18, 2026, on the Manari Trail Road, Central Rupununi.
Clement, identified as the driver of motor car #PJJ 6430, was charged as follows:
Driving Motor Vehicle Whilst Breath Alcohol Level Exceeded the Prescribed Limit (contrary to Section 39A(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02): Fined $175,000 or six months imprisonment.
Dangerous Driving (contrary to Section 36(1) of the same Act): Fined $25,000 or two weeks imprisonment.
The court imposed total fines of $200,000. In default of payment, Clement faces a cumulative 26 weeks imprisonment.
Case 3: Motorcyclist Fined $50,000 for DUI
LETHEM – Fitz Patrick Raphael, a male Guyanese of Amerindian descent from Moco-Moco Village, Central Rupununi, appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Friday, May 29, 2026, before His Worship Magistrate Mr. Omadatt Chandan.
Raphael, driver of motorcycle #CP 9502, pleaded guilty to Driving a Motor Vehicle While Breath Alcohol Level Exceeded the Prescribed Limit, an offence committed on May 27, 2026, on the Barrack Retreat Public Road, Lethem. The charge was laid under Section 39A(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
He was fined $50,000, or in default, five weeks imprisonment.
Case 4: Lorry Driver Appears on Warrant, Fined $50,000
LETHEM – George Gildarie, a male Guyanese of mixed descent from Lethem, Central Rupununi, appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on an arrest warrant before His Worship Magistrate Mr. Omadatt Chandan on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Gildarie, driver of motor lorry #GAM 5826, pleaded guilty to Driving a Motor Vehicle While Breath Alcohol Level Exceeded the Prescribed Limit, an offence committed on Monday, May 11, 2026, on Airport Road, Lethem, contrary to Section 39A(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
The court fined him $50,000, or in default, five weeks imprisonment.
