Forrester Gravesande, who was found guilty of murdering his neighbour, was yesterday sentenced to 56 years in jail.
Gravesande, 50, of Lot 5 Jonestown, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown for murdering Courtney Porter on April 9th, 2017.
Gravesande, who was previously found guilty by a jury, was told that he would only become eligible for parole after he serves 28 years.
It was alleged that on the evening of March 25th, 2017, Porter left his residence to attend a wake. On his way to the wake, it was stated that he stopped to visit his mother, who lives further down his street, when he met with Gravesande.
Porter’s wife had said that based on what she was told, Gravesande accused Porter of pulling at his wife’s clothes and reportedly dealt him several lashes to his head with a piece of wood.
Porter subsequently collapsed and was transported to a hospital, where he was admitted until discharged. However, on the afternoon of April 9th, Porter complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the Mahaicony Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention
A post-mortem examination had revealed that he died as a result of a fractured skull and neck and trauma to the brain.
