Two fishermen who last month pleaded guilty to the murder of Corentyne boat captain Mahadeo Ramdial, who drowned after pirates attacked his boat back in May, 2017, were today sentenced to 25 years in prison each.
Initially, Doodnauth Singh also known as ‘Rambo’, of Lot 348 Fifth Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, and Khemraj Narsayah also known as ‘Antenna’, of Lot 108 ‘B’ Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, were on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice for the murder of Ramdial.
However, in January, the men opted to plead guilty to the offence of murder while committing piracy contrary to Section 7 of the Hijacking and Piracy Act.
In a victim impact statement to the court, son of the deceased, Navin Ramdial wrote that the devastating news of his father’s death shattered his family but finding out that he was murdered “made the situation worse.”
He said when they received news that their father was missing he comforted himself with knowing that his father was a tough man and hoped that he would survive but hours after they received the news that his father’s body had been found.
He added that one of the toughest things he will have to do is tell his children what happened to their grandfather. He noted that his mother cannot think about their father without breaking into tears.
The state was represented by Attorney at Law, Nafeeza Baig, who said that Ramdial was out at sea plying his trade when his life was taken from him.
A tearful Doodnauth Singh today pleaded with the court for mercy. He said, he was a father and grandfather and was deeply sorry for what had happened. He then asked for a second chance.
Narsayah also pleaded with the court and asked for a lenient sentencing.
In sentencing the men today, Justice Singh said he started the sentence at thirty years. However, five years was deducted for the show of remorse and a favourable probation report for each of the accused.
As such he then sentenced the men to 25 years in prison with the time spent on remand to be deducted.
Ramdial, also known as “Chico,” of Lot 146 Kilcoy Squatting Area, along with two other fishermen, Arjune Permaul, of Kilcoy Squatting Area, and Permanand Nandan, of Lot 103 Tain Settlement, Corentyne, had been fishing in the Corentyne River when they were attacked by pirates.
After the fishermen were beaten and their catch and a boat engine were taken, the suspects threw them overboard. Ramdial later drowned while struggling to swim ashore with his crewmates.
Doodnauth was represented by attorney at law, Tanya Warren Clements, and Narsayah by attorney at law, Surihya Sabsook.
