Clifton Bacchus, the owner of SleepIn International Hotel, and one of his cashiers were on Monday released on $10,000 bail each for allegedly breaching the nationwide curfew. They appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs- Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Bacchus, 50, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 12, 2021, at SleepIn Hotel, 288-289 Church Street, Georgetown, he breached the curfew imposed from 10:30 pm and 04:00 am.
The businessman was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat. The lawyer in an application to secure bail for her client told the court that the same law under which Bacchus is being charged lists his business as an essential business.
In this regard, Rahamat argued that the charge against her client is unlawful. The lawyer further stated that according to protocols, hotels, interior lodges and guest houses can operate on a 24-hour basis.
For his part, the prosecutor informed that the matter has been sent to the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. The Magistrate released Bacchus on $10,000 bail and instructed him to make his next court appearance on May 17, 2021.
Also charged is 33-year-old Shontelle Marshall, a cashier, attached to the SleepIn Hotel. The woman who resides at 85 Alberttown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on the same day and at the same location, she breached the curfew imposed between the hours of 10:30 pm and 04:00 am.
Rahamat told the court that the woman works late at the hotel. The Magistrate granted the woman bail in the sum of $10,000. She too was instructed to make her next court appearance on May 17, 2021.