Akeem Wong, a convict serving a 15-year sentence for rape, escaped from the Mazaruni prison compound yesterday.
According to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), the escape occurred at around 7.20 am. At the time, Wong along with inmate Gilbert Gill, were working in the fields in the custody of Prison Officer Torres. Wong then requested to defecate which Officer Torres granted him permission to do.
However, after around five minutes had passed, Torres decided to check on Wong and discovered him missing. An alarm was immediately raised.
A search is currently underway and as a precautionary measure the prison has been placed on lockdown. The GPS meanwhile is urging the public to exercise caution and vigilance.
“We urge the public to exercise caution and vigilance and report any sightings or information regarding Akeem Wong’s whereabouts to the authorities immediately.
“The safety and security of the public remain our top priorities, and every effort is being made to ensure the swift and safe apprehension of the escaped prisoner.”
In 2020, Wong, 26, of Lot 62 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Georgetown.
Despite a guilty plea, Wong told a probation officer that he was unaware that the victim was 14-years-old and that he was committing a crime. He claimed that she told him she was 16 years old and had consented to the act.
A probation report presented to the judge stated that Wong now understands the law and is regretful that he broke the law. He said that he is now aware that an underage person cannot give consent to have sexual intercourse.
Wong also said that he was sorry for his actions and asked the victim to forgive him since he knows that she is hurting. He claimed that he would have compensated the victim financially if he had the money to do so.
Wong was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
