COURT Archives - Sheriff News Network - Guyana

Jury empaneled for Berbice man to face trial for sexual penetration

Staff Reporter — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:35:28 +0000

A 12-member jury was empaneled on Wednesday for a welder to face trial for sexually penetrating an underage girl. It is alleged that on April 30, 2020, while in Berbice, 37-year-old Robert Campbell engaged in sexual penetration with a child who was 12 years old at the time. Campbell, who resides at Murphy Dam, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared in the Berbice High Court before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall. Attorney-at-law Marisa Edwards, representing the State, indicated that eight witnesses, including one police officer and a doctor, will testify during the trial. A 12-member jury has been selected to consider the evidence and decide whether Campbell is guilty or not. Campbell who is out on bail is being represented by Kevin Morgan from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.

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Construction Worker Remanded for Alleged Sexual Assault of Elderly Woman

Staff Reporter — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:25:08 +0000

A construction worker was on Wednesday remanded to prison after appearing before the Fort Wellington Magistrates’ Court on a charge of sexual penetration.Rohan Mohamed, also known as “Tuntay,” of Lot 474 Number One Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy. It is alleged that between March 27 and 28, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 66-year-old woman without her consent.Mohamed was not required to plead to the indictable charge.Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards objected to bail, citing that the accused had previously been considered a flight risk in another matter. The prosecutor also raised concerns that Mohamed could interfere with witnesses if granted bail.During the proceedings, Mohamed denied the allegation, claiming that his brother was responsible for the act. He also called for a thorough investigation into the matter.Magistrate Hardy upheld the prosecution’s objections, denied bail, and remanded Mohamed to prison. The case was adjourned to April 22.According to reports, the incident occurred at approximately 23:20 hrs as the woman was preparing to retire for the night. Mohamed, who had reportedly carried out work on the woman’s fence months earlier, allegedly entered her home armed with a knife and demanded money.The woman reportedly handed over $4,000, which the suspect allegedly returned before assaulting her. Reports indicate that the attacker attempted to engage in sexual intercourse but was unsuccessful, after which he allegedly carried out a sexual act against the victim.The woman was eventually able to persuade the suspect to leave by suggesting he return at a later time. After his departure, she contacted a neighbour and relatives before reporting the matter to the police. She later sought medical attention at a hospital.The victim is said to be traumatised as she continues to cope with the aftermath of the incident.Mohamed was subsequently arrested and charged.

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U.S. says Mohameds’ extradition case is based on ‘hard, unequivocal evidence’…says Mohameds are guilty of the offences

Staff Reporter — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:15 +0000

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has dismissed claims by sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed that the extradition case against them is politically driven, insisting that the United States is proceeding strictly on the basis of evidence and law.Responding to suggestions that the matter is rooted in political persecution, Theriot made it clear that the U.S. does not bring criminal charges for political reasons.“The United States does not pursue criminal charges for political reasons. We do it because we have hard, unequivocal evidence against a person,” the Ambassador said.She added that the U.S. would not pursue a case unless it believed it had a strong chance of success.“Why would we take on a case we don’t think we’re going to win? That’s just a waste of the U.S. taxpayers’ money,” she said.Theriot said the United States firmly believes the Mohameds are guilty of the offences for which they have been indicted and noted that the matter is now before the Guyanese judiciary.“It’s in the Guyanese judiciary’s hands at this point, and we’re ready to move forward,” she stated.The Ambassador also addressed concerns that extraditing the Mohameds could trigger political instability in Guyana, saying she hoped that would not happen.“I hope that destabilisation doesn’t occur. I mean, that would be really tragic, because we’re simply holding people that we believe are guilty of a crime accountable for that crime,” she said.Theriot further suggested that the alleged wrongdoing was not only a matter affecting U.S. taxpayers, while stopping short of elaborating in detail.“It’s not just the United States taxpayers that were defrauded. I’ll just leave it at that,” she remarked.She emphasised that the case is being handled in accordance with the law and rejected any suggestion that the proceedings were politically motivated from the American side.“It’s not politically, certainly not politically motivated from our side,” the Ambassador said.She also stressed that the indictment was issued by the U.S. government, not the Government of Guyana.“It is our indictment. The government of Guyana did not indict the Mohameds,” Theriot said. “And I can assure you that there’s nothing political about it from the U.S. side.”Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed are wanted in the United States, where they face allegations linked to fraud and money laundering.

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Jury Finds Berbice Man Guilty of Embezzlement and Larceny Involving Millions

Staff Reporter — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:49:04 +0000

A 12- member jury on Thursday found Hemraj Singh Pahalad, of Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, guilty of embezzlement and larceny involving millions of dollars in cash and items. The court heard that between February 12 and 16, 2013, Hemraj Singh Pahalad, who was a clerk or servant to Ramdial Ramoutar and from Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, fraudulently embezzled three million five hundred twenty- nine thousand seven hundred fifty dollars in cash, which he took possession of from Sahidrul Satar for, or in the name of, or on the account of his employer, Ramdial Ramoutar. Additionally, between February 13 and 16, 2013, Pahalad is accused of fraudulently embezzling three million seven hundred fifty-one thousand five hundred dollars in cash from Karamdeo Mangru for, or in the name of, or on the account of, Ramdial Ramoutar. Also, between February 2 and 16, 2013, in Berbice, Pahalad, while serving as a clerk or servant to Ramdial Ramoutar, stole 200 bags of Thunderbolt 100- lb flour, 515 bags of 2kg flour, 311 bags of 1kg flour, 3 bags of high- fiber flour, and 22 bags of self- rising flour, valued at a total of $ 10, 127, 10,127,995.00, in the possession or control of his employer.Hemraj, who appeared in the Berbice High Court before Justice Deborah Kumar- Chetty, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which led to a trial.After the trial, with five witnesses testifying, Hemraj was found not guilty of the first count of embezzlement. However, he was found guilty of the second count and also guilty of the larceny charge.With Hemraj being found guilty of the two offenses, his bail was revoked, and he was remanded to prison.Before the sentencing hearing scheduled for April 30, the judge ordered that several documents, including a probation report, a victim impact statement, and a list of aggravating and mitigating factors, be prAttorney-at-Law Marisa Edwards represents the state, and the defense lawyer is Charlyn Artiga.

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ACTING CHIEF MAGISTRATE DISMISSES BRUTUS’ ABUSE OF PROCESS APPLICATION

Staff Reporter — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:47:21 +0000

On Thursday March 19, 2026, Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty dismissed Former Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration), Mr Calvin Brutus’ Abuse of Process Application on the basis that the extant criminal (fraud) charges, when compared to the previously-determined disciplinary charges, were different in scope, nature, and penalty. Hence, the Court found that Mr Brutus’s Abuse of Process Application must fail.In October and November 2024, Mr Brutus was charged with two hundred fifty-two (252) counts of criminal offences relating to Money Laundering, Fraud, and other serious related financial crimes (hereinafter referred to as “Fraud charges”), which are extant and ongoing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.On December 4, 2025, the defence filed an application seeking orders of the Magistrate’s Court for the joinder of various categories of fraud charges against Mr Brutus and for the consolidation of several offences into single omnibus counts. The prosecution contended that it was not averse to the joinder of several offences, where it is justified by law and promotes the fair and efficient administration of justice.On January 22, 2026, Brutus filed another interim application seeking an order of the Magistrate’s Court to stay certain fraud charges on the ground of abuse of process. The Defence submitted that the criminal fraud charges amounted to an abuse of process since the said charges were premised on the same facts which were the subject of two disciplinary charges instituted against Mr Brutus pursuant to Section 4(z) of the Police (Discipline) Act, Cap 17:01, and which resulted in his subsequent dismissal from the Guyana Police Force.The Prosecution, however, argued that though the Honourable Court was undoubtedly possessed an inherent jurisdiction to protect its process from abuse by granting a stay, the power of the magistrate to stay proceedings for abuse of process should be utilised sparingly and that, in any event, the current circumstances did not warrant the Court exercising its discretion since it is trite law that disciplinary proceedings do not, without more, bar the institution or continuation of criminal charges as they are administrative in nature, while criminal charges are in persona, against the State. The Prosecution argued that the two processes were distinct in nature, purpose, and consequence, and their concurrent or sequential operation is fully consistent with Guyana’s statutory and constitutional framework. With this, the Prosecution reasoned that Mr Brutus’ application does not meet the high legal threshold required to invoke the Court’s inherent jurisdiction and that the continuation of the present proceedings would neither undermine fairness nor bring the administration of justice into disrepute.Essentially, the Prosecution argued that the Defence had failed to establish any real prejudice, oppression, or abuse of process on the part of the prosecution in instituting the extant criminal charges and that the said abuse of process application was ill-founded, misconceived, unmeritorious, and ought to be dismissed in its entirety. The Court, accordingly, agreed with the Prosecution and dismissed Brutus’s Abuse of Process Application.On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Magistrate McGusty ruled that the two (2) counts of money laundering laid indictably against Mr Brutus and his Wife, Adonika Aulder, will proceed indictably via paper committal. The Prosecution is represented by Prosecutors and Attorneys-at-Law, Mr David Brathwaite, Mr Darin Chan, Mr Muntaz Ali, and Ms Natasha Backer, while the Defence is represented by Attorneys-at-Law, Mr Eusi Anderson, Mr Yuborn Allicock, and Mr Earl Daniels, among others.

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Company says Friendship evictions were lawful enforcement of High Court order

Staff Reporter — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:30:03 +0000

Rozel Di Leon Investment Ltd has defended the removal of occupants from parcels 3413 and 3414 at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, saying the operation carried out on March 17 was the lawful execution of a High Court order and not a sudden eviction as has been claimed publicly.In a statement, the company said it is the “sole and rightful owner” of the property, holding Certificates of Title No. 2022/129 and 2022/130, after lawfully purchasing the land from Elaine Adams, who had owned it under a previous transport. The company said it was granted vacant possession at the time of the sale and that persons occupying the land were notified before and after the transaction.The statement comes amid criticism from the political opposition, which described the removal of more than 50 families from the Friendship squatting area as a humanitarian concern and urged the government to intervene to provide housing solutions.But Rozel Di Leon Investment Ltd said the matter had already been fully ventilated in the courts. According to the company, in 2023, the New Friendship Farmers Cooperative Land Society, acting on behalf of occupants, filed legal proceedings seeking to have the company’s titles declared void on allegations of fraud. The company said it rejected those claims and filed a counterclaim for vacant possession.The company said that on September 25, 2024, Justice Peter Hugh dismissed the society’s application in its entirety, found no merit in the fraud allegations, and granted an order for vacant possession in favour of the company. It added that representatives of the society and their attorney were present in court when the ruling was made, and later gave an undertaking to vacate the property by January 31, 2025.According to the company, a copy of the court order was formally served on the society, making it clear that those occupying the land had known since September 2024 that they were legally required to leave.It said that after the undertaking was not honoured, the company sought to enforce the ruling, and on August 29, 2025, the High Court issued a further order authorising the Marshal of the Supreme Court to enter the property, remove those in occupation, and hand over vacant possession to the company. The company said the action taken on March 17, 2026, was in keeping with that order.Rozel Di Leon Investment Ltd also pushed back against several claims circulating in the aftermath of the removals. The company denied that occupants were given only seven days’ notice to vacate, saying the legal process lasted more than 18 months and that the order to vacate was granted in September 2024.It also rejected suggestions that company principal Leon Rutherford had been retained by the occupants to conduct a survey of the property, describing that claim as false. Additionally, the company dismissed accusations of “bullyism,” arguing that the enforcement of a Supreme Court order cannot be characterised that way, where due process was followed, and occupants were given substantial time to comply.“The allegation of fraud was fully examined and dismissed by a Judge of the High Court,” the company said, adding that the matter had already been adjudicated and the relevant orders executed.The company said it regretted that the enforcement exercise had been mischaracterised in the public domain, but maintained that the development marked the conclusion of a lengthy legal process aimed at restoring the rights of a property owner.

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United States assured Guyana against third-country extradition of Mohameds –Ministry of Foreign Affairs PS tells court

Staff Reporter — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:28:49 +0000

The United States has given assurances to the Government of Guyana that Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed will not be extradited to a third country for any other offence, the court heard on Wednesday as extradition proceedings against the businessmen intensified.The disclosure emerged during continued cross-examination of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, who has been on the stand since January 6.“On behalf of the government, we did seek assurances for the Mohameds,” Roopchand-Edwards told the court, maintaining that Guyana formally requested confirmation from U.S. authorities that treaty provisions, including protections against re-extradition, would be upheld.Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, representing Azruddin Mohamed, challenged that position, repeatedly putting it to the witness that in note verbale #1680/2025, “you did not seek any undertakings from the Government of the United States in respect of the Mohameds.”A note verbale is an official diplomatic communication used by governments to formally convey requests, information or positions.The exchange led to a sharp debate between the defence and prosecutor Herbert McKenzie over whether a distinction exists between “assurances” and “undertakings.”“Undertaking and assurance is the same thing,” McKenzie argued.Forde disagreed, telling the court: “An assurance in the context of extradition is a request made by the Government of Guyana for matters provided for in the treaty that the U.S. government will respond to. An undertaking is in respect of a matter not provided for in the treaty that the U.S. government is being asked to do.”McKenzie dismissed the distinction as “a difference without a difference,” but Magistrate Judy Latchman allowed the line of questioning to proceed.At one stage, Roopchand-Edwards requested to review the diplomatic note, telling the court, “It has been a while since I have dispatched the note. Can I see that note?”After examining the document, she reaffirmed her position, stating, “The government of Guyana sought assurances from the Government of the U.S. as it relates to Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed.”Reading from the correspondence, she pointed to a paragraph requesting “confirmation from the Government of the United States that this provision… will be upheld… while the Government of Guyana is assured of the strong commitment of the United States to honour its obligations under the treaty and its general obligations under international law.”She explained that the request was made “as a precaution” so that “express assurance from the Government of the United States can be produced to the court without delay.”Pressed further, the Permanent Secretary maintained that “in my mind, undertaking and assurances are the same,” agreeing that she would rely on the same paragraph to demonstrate both.The court later admitted the note verbale into evidence without objection. Roopchand-Edwards identified the relevant provision as Article 7 of the extradition treaty and Section 8(3) of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act, while acknowledging under further questioning that the paragraph referenced a single provision.She also told the court that she was not involved in discussions prior to the drafting of the note, stating, “Prior, no. After it was brought to my attention, I was told that we are seeking assurances and I read it through.”On the issue of delivery, she said the note was sent to the U.S. Embassy by email and by hand, though she only saw proof of the email transmission. “I saw the email. I did not see proof of delivery by hand,” she said.The Permanent Secretary confirmed that a response was received from the United States and that the embassy’s document serves as the assurance provided, though she said she could only recall its contents “generally.”Under further cross-examination, she acknowledged that she did not forward the extradition documents to a legal officer to verify compliance with local legislation and did not independently seek clarification from the U.S. Embassy regarding the treaty’s specialty provisions.The court will not sit on Thursday and Friday, with proceedings scheduled to resume from March 24 to March 27.The Mohameds, who were arrested in October 2025 following a U.S. extradition request, are wanted to face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and customs-related offences tied to an alleged US$50 million gold smuggling scheme. They remain on $150,000 bail each, with conditions requiring them to lodge their passports and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday, except where it conflicts with public holidays and court dates.

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Berbice man sentenced to 12 years for rape

Staff Reporter — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:27:51 +0000

Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty on Wednesday sentenced a Berbice man to 12 years in prison for the offense of rape committed against a woman.Anthony Jeffrey, 29, of Kilcoy, Berbice, appeared in the Berbice High Court before Justice Kumar-Chetty and pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from March 4, 2024: unconsented rape of a woman and assault causing actual bodily harm. By pleading guilty, Jeffrey waived his right to a trial by jury.Prosecutor Marisa Edwards stated that around 12:30 a.m., the complainant awoke to a noise from her window. The attacker, wearing a shirt over his head, entered the bedroom, threatened her with a cutlass and a gun, restrained her, and assaulted her.Prosecutor Edwards said Jeffrey removed her clothes, inserted a finger into her vagina for about ten seconds, and attempted to have intercourse, also pressing and inserting a finger again for about ten seconds. A neighbor shouted, the attacker fled, and a scuffle with a pursuer took place.The complainant was taken to Port Mourant Hospital and later to New Amsterdam Hospital. Medical records noted injuries including dental impressions with dried blood, forehead lacerations, a neck imprint, a suction mark on her chest, vaginal tears, and related secretions.Jeffrey initially denied involvement but later admitted the details in an audio-video interview.While delivering the sentence, the judge considered several factors related to the rape and the assault during the act. Subsequently, the judge sentenced Jeffrey to 12 years and 8 months in prison for the rape. Additionally, he received a sentence of 3 years and 4 months for assault causing actual bodily harm.Justice Kumar-Chetty mentioned that the sentences will run concurrently and that time spent on remand will be reduced from the sentence.During the sentencing, the victim and a relative were present. Jeffrey, who had no relatives present, appeared calm during and after the proceedings.

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Magistrate warns Mohameds to comply with bail conditions or face remand

Staff Reporter — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:16:53 +0000

Businessmen Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed were on Monday issued a stern warning by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to strictly comply with their bail reporting conditions as extradition proceedings against them continue at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.During the hearing, the court was informed that police records showed that the two men had not been consistently complying with the reporting schedule attached to their bail. According to police records, the Mohameds had at times reported earlier than required, late, or in some instances one or two days after the stipulated reporting date.Under their bail conditions, the father and son are required to report every Friday between 13:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs at the Ruimveldt Police Station. If a Friday falls on a public holiday, they are required to report on the preceding Thursday.However, in light of the inconsistencies noted by police, Magistrate Latchman varied the bail order. The new condition requires the men to report at the Ruimveldt Police Station at any time between 00:00 hrs and 23:59 hrs on Fridays and sign their attendance in an official station book.The court also ruled that should either man be unable to report due to illness, they must present a medical certificate, which must be forwarded to the police station. The court further indicated that if the matter is scheduled for hearing on a Friday, the men would not be required to report to the police station on that day.An entry must also be made in the station’s property book to record the submission of the document.The revised reporting condition will take effect from March 20.In reprimanding the pair for breaching the court’s order, Magistrate Latchman stressed the importance of adhering to bail conditions.“It is important that you follow the court’s orders. You are to report when you have to report. That is accountability and being responsible citizens,” the magistrate told them.She also warned the individual who posted bail for the men that any future breach could carry serious consequencesThe magistrate indicated that if another violation occurs, their bail will be forfeited to the State and they would be remanded to prison pending the determination of the extradition proceedings.Both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed offered apologies to the court for failing to strictly comply with the reporting requirements.The extradition hearing involving the two businessmen, which stems from a request by the United States, is continuing with testimony from Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards.

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Golden Grove driver granted $650,000 bail after fatal Rupert Craig Highway collision

Staff Reporter — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:36:22 +0000

A 28-year-old East Coast Demerara resident was released on $650,000 bail on Wednesday after being charged in connection with a fatal road accident along the Rupert Craig Highway.Rushana Hopkinson, of Lot 77 Section C, Golden Grove, appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

She faces an indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Hopkinson, who was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva, was not called upon to plead to the charge during the court appearance.Authorities allege that on February 22, near the MovieTowne area of Greater Georgetown, Hopkinson operated motor car PАМ 4632 in a manner considered dangerous to the public. The incident resulted in the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline Cumberbatch.

Magistrate Gibbs granted bail with conditions, including the regular reporting of Hopkinson to the police and the surrender of her passport. The case has been adjourned to March 30 for report and disclosure.Cumberbatch, a resident of Liliendaal, was reportedly on her way to collect her pension at MovieTowne when she was struck along the highway’s southern carriageway. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Relatives said they were notified of the incident via telephone and discovered her body on the parapet upon arriving at the location.Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.

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