Pregnant mother of two Alicia Ramdath was yesterday remanded in custody after she appeared in court charged with committing $145,000 million in fraud. The 27-year-old woman, of Trincity, who is seven months pregnant, appeared before San Fernando Second Court Magistrate Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds on seven fraud charges, including larceny. Ramdath, who has four aliases, was arrested by San Fernando Fraud Squad officers. She is accused of obtaining a total of $33,000 by falsely pretending to be the owner of two cars which she offered for sale. She is also accused of stealing a total of $112,000.
The offences occurred in Sangre Grande, Point Fortin, Debe and San Fernando between August 2009 and April 2011. Attorney Chateram Sinanan, in his application for bail, expressed concern about his client's health since she was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital while in custody with complications in her pregnancy. He said she began experiencing premature contractions and the baby was suffering with lung complications. The magistrate asked why the woman's husband was not in court for the hearing. Sinanan said the couple's other children were ill and one had to be taken for medical treatment for fever.
Ramsumair-Hinds said bail would not normally be granted for the offences with which Ramdath was charged but was concerned that she "is with child and has complications." Police prosecutor Ramdath Phillip objected to bail citing the fact the woman gave the police different addresses and names. He said they wanted an opportunity to verify her Trincity address since she gave a different address upon arrest. The magistrate agreed to give the police time to check the information. Ramdath will return to court on Tuesday. She will appear in the Arima Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and Point Fortin Magistrates' Court on Thursday.