By Tahna Weston
The businessman who was convicted of two counts of indecent assault stemming from an incident over two years ago, has been granted bail pending his sentencing and the completion of a social inquiry report.
Prakashcandra Lohar was expected to be sentenced for both offences on December 13. However, last Friday, his attorney Wendel Alexander brought it to the court’s attention that Lohar was under suicide watch while on remand at His Majesty’s Prison.
He had been hospitalized for three days after falling ill at the prison on November 26. According to Robinson, his client was seen by the medical officer at the prison and was later taken to the Emergency Room at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, before being warded.
Robinson said Lohar had very low blood pressure and had not been eating well since he was convicted in November and placed on remand. Following treatment, the businessman was discharged from the hospital on November 29.
Out of concern for Lohar’s wellbeing and assurances by the prosecution that the probation report would be ready by Friday, High Court judge Justice Ann-Marie Smith decided to grant him bail, to which the prosecution made objections.
“I am minded to grant him bail. No, I am going to let him out on bail,” Smith said.
However, in objecting to bail, the prosecution noted that no official details were provided about his hospitalisation, other than what was told to the court by his lawyer. The prosecutor Curtis Cornelius said that Lohar has been fine since he had been discharged.
The Crown also pointed to the fact that his sentencing hearing was just a week away and that other prisoners have fallen ill and did not get bail. The prosecution stressed further that the businessman has been convicted of a crime.
Robinson, in rebuttal, said there was an incident he would not disclose, but added that Lohar was not pretending to be sick.
In spite of those arguments, Justice Smith released Lohar on bail in the sum of $15,000 with two sureties and no cash deposit. He was required to surrender his travel documents and report to Langford’s Police Station on Mondays.
Lohar was warned not to interfere with the victim and told that he must attend all court proceedings.
The charges arose from an encounter where Lohar offered the victim a ride when it was raining on February 12, 2022. The woman accused him of performing sexual acts in front of her and other sexual misconduct.
Lohar was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict on two of three indecent assault charges.
What allegedly began as an act of kindness landed the man before the court for unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate touching during the journey.
