By STACY MOORE Friday, July 20 2012

A 55-YEAR-OLD Couva woman yesterday pleaded guilty to the charge of bigamy when she appeared before a judge in the San Fernando High Court. Lynette Phillips will return to court in September to hear what her punishment will be.

The charge alleged that on November 7, 1995 in Couva, Phillips did marry George Wildman while still married to Leroy Phillips. The trial was heard before Justice Geoffrey Henderson in the Second Criminal Court.

State attorney Angelica Teelucksingh yesterday told the court that on November 7, 1995, Phillips said “I Do” to Wildman in a marriage at the Warden’s Office in Couva. Not too long after, Wildman received certain information that Lynette was still “Mrs Phillips” and not “Mrs Wildman” as he assumed and expected.

He (Wildman) proceeded to the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain and obtained a marriage certificate proving that Phillips was still married to Leroy Phillips. Teelucksingh said that the woman had described herself as a spinster (an unmarried woman).

The court heard that on June 19, 1977 Phillips got married to Leroy. This marriage lasted for 18-and-a-half years before Phillips left Leroy and their marital home in October, 1995. During that month, she got married to Wildman.

Teelucksingh told the court that on February 20, 2003 — eight years after she left him and got married to Wildman — Lynette and Leroy’s divorce was finalised through a decree absolute. On April 25, 2006 Wildman reported the matter to the police and PC Annand Bissoon conducted investigations.

Yesterday, two marriage certificates were tendered as evidence together with copies of other documents relating to the case.

Prior to her marriage to Wildman and after she left Leroy, Lynette was calling herself ‘Lynette Arrendell’.

Attorney Kern Edwards who is representing Phillips, requested a probationer’s report. Henderson said the offence from which the charge arose, has puzzled the court, but, “I would not make any comment until I have a better understanding.” Henderson did however note two men had been misled. Phillips was later granted her own bail in the sum of $25,000 and instructed to return to court on September 27, for sentencing.