Ravindra Paremdass, a graduate of the Mazaruni Prison’s tailoring course, was this morning handed a 12-year jail sentence on a manslaughter charge after he admitted to killing another man during a row over a bicycle.
The custodial sentence was handed down by Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court in Georgetown.
About two weeks ago, Paremdass, 30, also known as ‘Munesh’, was arraigned before Justice Drakes on a murder indictment.
He, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, admitting that he unlawfully killed Roopram Jagdeo between December 20 and December 21, 2012 at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Based on reports, Jagdeo called ‘Rabbit’ and ‘Lil Baby’, was killed during an altercation with Paremdass over a bicycle.
During a confrontation, Paremdass dealt the man a lash to the head with a piece of wood.
A probation officer told the court that Paremdass was described as an alcoholic by several of his former workmates and residents of Providence, East Bank Demerara, the community in which he lived.
According to the probation officer, during his time in prison, Paremdass received a certificate and medal after successfully completing a tailoring course.
He has since been relocated to the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara where is works in the kitchen.
“I apologise to the Court. I apologise to the deceased’s family and I am begging for mercy. Give me a second chance,” a remorseful Paremdass told Justice Drakes.
Before passing sentence, Justice Drakes told Paremdass that he hopes his time in jail would be a wake up call for him.
The judge added that consuming excessive alcohol can cause people to do things they won’t normally do, and in this case, it caused the death of someone.
In 2015, Paremdass was tried and sentenced to 57 years in jail after a jury found him guilty of murdering Jagdeo.
Paremdass, being dissatisfied with the verdict, filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence which were both overturned by three Justices of Appeal last year December.
In the circumstances, the case was remitted to the High Court for a new trial after the Court of Appeal found that the trial judge made several errors during the proceedings.
Attorney-at-law Maxwell Mckay represented Paremdass, while the case for the Prosection was presented by State Counsel Tameika Clarke and Tiffini Lyken.
