The self-professed A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) activist who posted death threats on social media against Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other leaders of the PPP/C was today ordered to either pay a $75,000 fine or face six months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Tameshwar Beekham, 39, of Crabwood Creek Corentyne, Berbice was accused of threatening by way of writing on his ‘Facebook’ page plans to murder former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar as well as Clement Rohee and Dr Roger Luncheon.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Beekham pleaded guilty.
“I regret my actions because of ignorance. I am sorry,” he told the Magistrate.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that in May, 2016, Beekham used his cellular phone to make several posts/comments via Facebook to threaten the above mentioned persons and also other PPP/C supporters.
Jones stated that the virtual complainants had made a complaint to the police and after investigations into the matter began, ranks arrested Beekham.
Beekham was cautioned and admitted to posting those threats and the relevant information was extracted from his cellular phone which was used to facilitate the posting of the threats, the police prosecutor declared.
Jones explained that further investigations were carried out and Beekham was subsequently charged with the offence.
INews understands that Jones was also taken to Dr Bhiro Harry, a psychiatrist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was examined to ascertain whether he had mental health issues.
After examinations it was revealed that Beekham was of sound mind.
Magistrate McLennan then ordered that Beekham pay a $75,000 fine or be sent to the lockups for a period of six months.
Beekham in 2005 was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of fraud and forgery charges. (Kristen Macklingam)
Ordered to pay only $75000. Seriously? This guy should have been sent behind bars in addition to paying the fine.