A 24-year-old homeless man who allegedly altered a cheque to inflate its value by $100,000 has been remanded to prison.
Romario Benjamin, who has no fixed address, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabyo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer two forgery-related charges.
Police allege that Benjamin forged a Bank of Guyana cheque dated May 30, 2025, increasing its value from $99,000 to $199,000 in an attempt to defraud Hervin D’Aguilar.
It is further alleged that on June 2, he presented the altered cheque to D’Aguilar on Church Street, Georgetown, knowing it to be forged.
When asked for his plea, Benjamin initially said he did not understand the charges.
After Magistrate Azore explained the options, he stated, “I didn’t do it,” leading the court to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf for both offences.
The police prosecutor objected to bail, citing Benjamin’s lack of a fixed address, employment, or family ties as factors that made him a flight risk.
The prosecutor also noted the strength of the evidence and the likelihood of conviction.
Under questioning, Benjamin explained that he is originally from Berbice and has been living on the streets of Georgetown, struggling to find food and shelter.
He told the court that nobody wanted to hire him.
Magistrate Azore expressed concern about his living conditions, remarking, “Living on the streets in this weather cannot be easy. At least this way you’ll have somewhere to sleep and something to eat,” before remanding him to prison.
The matter was adjourned to June 18, 2025.
