High Court orders Cameraman to pay former employer for damage equipment

February 13, 2025

More than one year after photographer Diliza David failed to stick to a commitment of replacing equipment he damaged for journalists Leroy Smith back in 2023, today the High Court ruled that Diliza David must pay Smith for the damaged equipment.

Smith first formally wrote David in December 2023 and again in January 2024 about replacing the equipment which he mishandled and misuse while they were placed in his care, resulting in them being damaged. Diliza however refused to pay for the damaged equipment or replace them after he was fired from Smith’s company for poor work ethics and performance.

Parts of an email sent to David by Smith in January warning that legal action will taken if he fails to replace the equipment

On February 04, 2025, David was served with a Fix Date Application file by Smith for the equipment. He was served just after exiting a court hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates Court where he is defending cyber crime allegations filed by Smith through private criminal charges back in 2024.

On Thursday, Diliza was ordered by Justice Gino Persaud in the High Court to pay Smith for the damage equipment. David told the court he will be paid later this month and will have the monies delivered to Smith through the respective Attorneys at Law by the first week in March, 2025.

Diliza David is expected to put in a defence and will return before justice Gino Persaud on March 14 in relation to videos and photos which he took while working for Smith’s company but refused to hand them over after being fired by Smith’s company back in December, 2023.