Barbadian charged with overstaying since ’07 Cricket World Cup

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

A Barbadian, who used the 2007 Cricket World Cup hassle-free travel system to enter Guyana and live here for the past six years, was Friday convicted for overstaying.

53-year old Devon Atwell pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined GUY$40,000 or six months imprisonment.

The court was told that Atwell, who lives on Ganges Street, Prashad Nagar, had encountered problems with his landlord who reported to the police that the man was in Guyana illegally.

Court documents revealed that Atwell arrived in Guyana in April 2007 during Cricket World Cup and was granted six months stay. His passport was not stamped, but instead he was given a wrist-band.

After the six months elapsed, Atwell remained in Guyana and married a Guyanese.

He was arrested on June 4 after the landlord complained to police.

The Barbadian man’s conviction came less than one month after Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Transport recommended the reintroduction of the CWC hassle-free travel model.