Forty-nine-year-old Bhola Bhagwandin called ‘Buddy,’ who was accused of raping and beating a woman back in 2019, now awaits sentencing for the physical assault he was found guilty of.
A jury yesterday afternoon convicted Bhagwandin for beating the woman, but unanimously acquitted him of the two counts of rape on which he had been arraigned.
Presiding Judge Jo-Ann Barlow deferred sentencing to October 20th to first hear a probation report on Bhagwandin and an impact statement from the victim.
Justice Barlow told Bhagwandin that she was not going to remand him to prison while he awaits sentence, but cautioned him to return and sternly warned him not to go within 150 feet of the woman.
She told him too that if he fails to show on the return date, the Court will proceed without him.
The court can sentence the convict in his absence, and issue a warrant for his arrest; and whatever sentence would have been imposed against him, would be served, commencing from the date of arrest.
The charges against Bhagwandin had alleged that on September 2nd, 2019 in the County of Demerara, he sexually penetrated the woman on two separate occasions, both without her consent.
The State’s case had been that on the day in question Bhagwandin was at the woman’s house where they had an exchange of words during which time he began touching her inappropriately, despite her objections.
The woman had told the court that the accused began hitting her in her back and abdomen and cuffing her, after which he armed himself with a piece of wood with which he beat her about her body.
The woman also alleged that the accused hit her head against a post and viced her.
According to the woman, she tried to run but was unable to and that it was during this time that Bhagwandin forced himself on her—raping her twice.
The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Sarah Martin while Bhagwandin was represented by defence attorney Teriq Mohammed.
The trial proceedings were held in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Demerara.
