After being found guilty on June 15, last, of killing their relative Sunil Ramsundar at Skull City, Patentia; Vishwantie Ragnauth and her reputed husband Nyron Thakurdyal were each sentenced to 40 years imprisonment this afternoon. The custodial punishment was imposed by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Georgetown High Court.
Ragnauth, 38, also known as ‘Shelly’ and Thakurdyal, 39, called ‘One Eye,’ were found guilty by a 12-member mixed jury who returned unanimous guilty verdicts.
According to a probation report, Ragnauth had been described as a very abusive person by villagers and was in the habit of abusing her partners. In one instance, the court was told that the woman stabbed her spouse. Villagers alleged that Ragnauth and her spouse were in the habit of imbibing alcohol after which they would engage in heated arguments.
Ragnauth, according to villagers, was also in the habit of smoking cocaine and marijuana—drugs she was accused of selling in the neighbourhood. As it relates to Thakurdyal, a father of six, the court was told by a Senior Probation Officer that he was deported from the USA in 2002 for narcotics.
Expressing remorse, Ragnauth said, “I am so sorry for whatever happened. I have lost my uncle. I have three children and I beg the court for forgiveness.” Thakurdyal said, “I would like to express remorse to the family of the deceased. I would like to go back to my six children out there.”
According to reports, on Boxing Day of 2014 Ramsundar was allegedly stabbed and killed by his niece and her spouse, after he attempted to settle a disagreement. It was reported that on that day, Ragnauth assaulted her mother, who is a sister of Ramsundar.
Upon seeing his sister crying, Ramsundar had approached her to inquire about the problem. After an explanation was given to him, Ramsundar then confronted his niece and an argument ensued. Things escalated, and Ragnauth’s spouse and Ramsundar became involved in a scuffle. Ramsundar was stabbed about the body by his niece and the reputed husband.
The injured man collapsed and was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes was retained by Thakurdyal and his common-law spouse. Appearing for the state were Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt.
