Fishermen Deonarine Laakhan and Roopnarine Persaud have been sentenced to 10 and 12 years, 10 months respectively for their roles in the 2017 killing of Kawall Shivnauth whom they stabbed at a bar at Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
In his sentencing remarks on Monday afternoon, Justice Sandil Kissoon underscored that the variation in the sentences imposed, was because of additional aggravating factors against Persaud.
Laakhan called “Pascal” and Roopnarine Persaud called “Helicopter” had initially been indicted for murder but at their arraignment back in July, they both pleaded to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
The jointly-charged duo would then go on to admit that it was they who had unlawfully killed Shivnauth also known as “Rupie” on January 9th, 2017.
Their sentencing had been deferred to facilitate the preparation of social impact reports.
During their sentencing hearing on Monday, the young men expressed their remorse to both the surviving relatives and the Court, for the life they had taken.
The facts were that on the day in question, the duo was at a bar when Persaud approached and started arguing with Shivnauth, who was drinking at the time.
The court had heard that during that time Persaud whipped out a knife with which he began cutting Shivnauth, who in turn grabbed a beer bottle in a bid to defend himself.
Prosecutor Muntaz Ali had said that Persaud managed to take away the bottle, with which he then lashed Shivnauth.
The prosecutor said that it was at this time that Laakhan—the stepson of Shivnauth—started shouting to Persaud to “juk he, juk he.”
The court then heard that Persaud stabbed Shivnauth six times to his chest and abdomen which subsequently led to his death.
The offenders were represented by defence attorney Teriq Mohammed.
