Forty-four-year-old fisherman, Jaipual Hitlall, who is facing a murder charge, was this afternoon sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for raping a woman who he dragged into the Atlantic Ocean along Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
Hitlall, who was represented by lawyer Maxwell, McKay, was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall for the crime which occurred on December 29, 2016.
Following deliberations, a 12-person jury found Hitlall guilty of the offence. Its verdict was in the proportion of 10 guilty to two not guilty. State Counsel Teriq Mohammed and State Counsel Tuanna Hardy presented the case for the State. This publication understands that on the day in question, the woman, then in her mid 20s, was making her way home when she stepped in dog poop.
Uncomfortable with her slippery shoes, the woman ventured out to the seawalls where she attempted to wash her shoes. But she was accosted by Hitlall from behind. The man dragged her into the waters which was at the time ankle deep and forcibly had sex with her. The woman fought back. She used a pocket knife to stab Hitlall to his temple and shoulders.
But Hitlall overpowered the woman and dragged her out of the waters by her hair and threw her into a boat where he had sex with her again. He then realized that he knew her and begged her not to squeal on him. The woman agreed, and Hitlall let her go, and even followed her out to the sea shore. The woman made a report to the police the next day.
Hitlall is currently on remand for the murder of 60-year-old Bibi Kaneece. It is alleged that he raped her before killing her on October 2, 2016 at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara. Hitlall’s last known address is given as Sea View Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara.
