Hemraj Bramdeo, also known as `Scrawly’, who last month pleaded to the 2016 unlawful killing of Wales Estate labourer, Dellon Bradford, has been sentenced to 14 years behind bars.
The sentence was imposed yesterday by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall following the presentation of probation and other social impact reports.
The Judge commenced the sentence at a base of 21 years, from which she made the one-third deduction for his early guilty plea which brought it to a total of 14 years.
Therefrom, it was further ordered that the prison deduct the time Bramdeo would have spent on remand awaiting trial.
Bramdeo had been set to face trial, but before the prosecution opened its case, his attorney George Thomas indicated to the court his client’s change of heart.
The charge was re-read and Bramdeo pleaded not guilty to the capital offence; but accepted guilt on the lesser count of manslaughter.
He admitted to unlawfully killing Bradford on March 23rd, 2016.
Background
The prosecution’s case is that on
the night in question, Bramdeo and Bradford were drinking at different locations in the same street in Patentia village when the latter left where he was drinking and was later seen arguing with Bramdeo’s daughter.
An altercation ensued and Bramdeo intervened between the two, and stabbed Bradford three times, in his back, abdomen and right armpit.
Bramdeo then chased Bradford some distance holding the knife in his hands but was pulled away by his granddaughter.
The State’s case is that Bradford eventually fell to the ground and uttered to witnesses nearby “is Scrawly juk me three times.”
He was rushed to the hospital but subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
According to an autopsy report, he died from perforation of spleen and kidney as a result of stab wounds.
