Pastor charged with rape of church member

Months after the allegations were made in the press and reported to the Police, Bishop Joseph Persaud was hauled before the court on Tuesday and slapped with a rape charge.

Bishop Persaud of First Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where the matter was heard in camera.

Persaud runs a church in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara and is accused of raping one of his female congregation members.

It was during the month of October 2017 when the 22-year-old victim of La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was invited to the man’s residence at East Bank Demerara for dinner when he allegedly committed the act.

He was released on $350,000 dollars bail and the matter was adjourned until January 18.

House gutted another scorched in Durban Street Fire

Firefighters left no stone unturned in their desperate effort to put out the blaze after a Durban Street building caught fire this morning.

Residents said no one was at home at the time when the fire alarm was raised and the building was quickly engulfed.
Lennox Smith is the owner of the building and he lives with his grandson. He was at the hospital when he got a call telling him that his house was on fire.

Firefighters were able to save the neighboring house which was only scorched and residents applauded them for their quick response and for containing the blaze.

Smith could not say the number of his losses at the time, but its estimated to be in the millions.
An investigation was launched by the Guyana Fire Service to ascertain the origin of the fire.

Bar manager’s death: Family not buying suicide claims, wants police probe

Natasha Bernard the mother of Tevin Parris was in pain when she arrived at his family’s Garnette Street home to the news of his death. The discovery was made by his uncle David Parris around 7:40 a.m Monday morning.

He said his nephew was found dead with a pistol in his hand. Parris said his nephew was not the owner of a firearm.
His emotional mother is calling on the Police to do a thorough probe in the matter. She is ruling out the possibility that her son took his own life.

Investigations are ongoing.

Hire car driver busted with over 13,000 grams of cannabis

A 23-year-old hire car driver of East Canje, Berbice was on Saturday (January 06) arrested at Weldaad Back Street, West Coast Berbice after the vehicle he was driving was found with thirteen thousand eight hundred grams of compressed cannabis.
A  party of police commanded by an Assistant Superintendent were conducting a routine stop and search operation in the vicinity of the Weldaad Police Station when they observed a motorcar which was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the road, as the car approached the lawmen the driver suddenly diverted north into the Weldaad Back Street.
The vehicle was immediately pursued and detained; a search revealed seventeen taped parcels containing the illegal substance. The driver is cooperating with investigators and is expected to appear in court tomorrow to be charged with possession of Narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

15-Y-O runs away from home; family pleads for public’s help to locate her

A Corentyne Berbice family is in distress after a young member of their family, 15-year-old Rhonda Sealey vanished from their home. Her parents told this news outlet that they retired to bed one night and woke the next morning to see that all her belongings were missing and she was nowhere to be found.
Her father said he reported the matter to the Albion and Central Police stations and the police are investigating the story. Rhonda lives with her parents at No #1 Road Coventry Berbice. Her family is asking anyone with information about their daughter’s whereabouts to CONTACT them on Tele#  663-0508 OR 601-8880 or the nearest Police Station.

Latest oil find is largest single find offshore

The Department of Public Information (DPI) in a media release stated that more than 230 feet of the high-quality oil-bearing reservoir has been discovered at the Ranger-1 well in the Stabroek block. This latest discovery represents the largest single find to date and adds to the quantities which have been confirmed in the five previous finds.

The release added that the news of an additional find of this magnitude, particularly, at the start of the new year, can be seen as a further blessing and underscores the richness and diversity of Guyana’s natural resources. Managed prudently, these resources will allow for an enormous transformational effect on the lives of every Guyanese in the years ahead,” the release further stated.

This represents the sixth discovery in Guyana since 2015.

The Government in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited stated that it is pleased and gratified by the information.

The government added that remains committed to all efforts for the safe and efficient development of the offshore Guyana basin.

Foreign nationals detained at city hotel

Several foreign nationals were detained by police following a raid at Diamond Hotel and Bar in George Street Friday morning.
The police operation ended just around 10:30 this morning with several young men also detained. A number of items were removed from the hotel along with suitcases of what appeared to be clothing.
This news site understands that the owners of the hotel are accused of operating a strip club at the location, which may have prompted the raid. It is unclear if the foreign nationals were there illegally.