Twenty-one-year-old Nicholas DaSilva, known as “Terror,” has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, less the time he already spent on remand.
He pleaded guilty to the murder of 38-year-old Mark Frank during a confrontation at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in November 2022.
DaSilva appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara, where the judge began with a starting sentence of 35 years.
Deductions were then made for DaSilva’s early guilty plea, his expressed remorse, and positive reports of his conduct in prison.
Years were also added to reflect the emotional suffering caused to the victim’s family.
After applying all adjustments, Justice Singh imposed a final sentence of 15 years, from which time spent on remand must be deducted.
DaSilva was represented by Defence Counsel Madan Kissoon, while the State’s case was presented by State Counsel Christopher Belfield, State Counsel Simran Gajraj, and State Counsel Geneva Wills.
According to the facts of the case, at around 7:00 a.m. on November 25, 2022, DaSilva and Frank became involved in a heated argument on a cross street in Riverview.
Frank eventually walked away to a nearby shop, but as he passed DaSilva on his way back, DaSilva pulled a “Rambo” knife and stabbed him in the neck, causing him to collapse.
The court heard that DaSilva then picked up the knife, wiped it clean, and returned it to its sheath before walking toward the sea dam.
A written caution statement later given to police revealed that he “pulled out his knife and fired a jook at Frank” due to an old grievance between them.
A post-mortem examination showed that Frank died from haemorrhage and shock caused by a stab wound to the neck.
DaSilva, who was 18 at the time of the killing, has remained in custody since his arrest.
