Culvert City man fined $300,000 for trespassing on Lethem Aerodrome

A 43-year-old electrician has been ordered to pay a $300,000 fine or serve three months in prison for illegally accessing the Lethem Aerodrome.

Lennard Pompey of Culvert City, Lethem, Central Rupununi, appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence of trespassing on an aerodrome, contrary to Section 83(1) of the Civil Aviation Act.

The action against Pompey comes just days after the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana warned against aviation-related violations and called for stricter enforcement of civil aviation regulations to safeguard operations at hinterland aviation facilities.

The association said motorists and pedestrians regularly cross hinterland airstrips while aircraft are operating, litter on runways, and even engage in recreational activities on them.

Recently, rocks were deliberately placed across the runway at the Lethem Aerodrome, prompting aviation stakeholders to condemn the act and call for increased intervention.

The Aviation Operators Association had warned that aviation-related offences can result in fines amounting to millions of dollars and lengthy prison sentences, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.