Nicholas Singh, called ‘Pookie’, a 25-year-old resident of D’Urban Street, Georgetown was arrested by Police on 16th September 2024 and charged yesterday with the murder of Natram Persaud on 31st December 2023 at Canal #2 Polder, West Bank Demerara.
He is the third person to be charged with this murder. The police said that the accused appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Rhondell Weever where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison until 10th October 2024 at 09:00 hrs for report.
Otto Pitman called ‘One Dan’ and Oliver Franklyn were charged on January 7th this year with the murder of Persaud.
The murder/robbery was committed after three male bandits, all dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks, one of whom was armed with a handgun, invaded the wedding house in Canal #2 Polder, West 8.50 pm on Old Year’s Night.
Enquiries, police say, disclosed that, at the time of the incident, the wedding celebration of Mr and Mrs Samsundar was being held at Canal #2 and there were about sixty persons in attendance. The yard where the celebrations were being held is situated on the northern side of the Canal access road, facing south. At the entrance to the yard which is situated at the southern side, is a metal grilled gate which was wide open at the time.
Manipaul Rambharack was sitting at the western side of the entrance along with another friend when three masked men approached him and one of the men, who was armed, discharged two rounds at him and relieved him of his gold band. The suspects exited the yard and Persaud chased behind them and began to scuffle with one of the suspects. During the scuffle, a loud explosion was heard, after which Persaud fell to the ground. The three bandits then escaped east of the Canal #2 Polder access road.
Relatives then went to the assistance of Rambharack and Persaud when it was observed that they had both suffered gunshot injuries.
They were both escorted to seek medical attention: Rambharack was taken to the Woodlands Hospital where he underwent an emergency operation. Persaud was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
Rambharack suffered a gunshot injury to his stomach which exited his lower back, while the deceased suffered a gunshot injury to the back of his head.
