A 49-year-old labourer of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, has been charged with the murder of his 15-year-old stepson, which occurred on October 3, 2025.
The accused, Balram Bessessar, called Navin, was arrested the same day the incident occurred and later charged on October 7, 2025, for the murder of Sudesh Singh, also known as Joel, of Lot 71 Last Street, Stewartville.
Bessessar appeared before Magistrate Singh at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison. The case has been adjourned to October 10, 2025.
According to police reports, the fatal incident stemmed from an argument between the teen and his stepfather over the use of a bicycle. During the altercation, Bessessar allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and dealt several chops to Singh, inflicting fatal wounds to his neck.
The suspect reportedly left the scene and went to the Leonora Police Station, where he confessed to the act. Police later arrived at the scene and found the teen lying motionless under the house with a cutlass nearby.
The body was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy which was later conducted revealed that the teen died from incised wound.
