Man gets life sentence for killing Mahaicony businesswoman

-to be eligible for parole after serving 25 years

Davanand Rampersaud, the 27-year-old man who two weeks ago confessed to killing Mahaicony businesswoman Bibi Shairoon Nesha Ali in 2016, was yesterday handed a life sentence for the crime.

The charge alleged that between October 15th and October 17th, 2016, at Lot 4 Novar, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Rampersaud unlawfully killed Ali. Rampersaud was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter two weeks ago at the High Court.

Yesterday in the courtroom of Justice Sandil Kissoon, a probation report which was ordered was presented to the court in which Ali’s relatives noted that they are still grieving. During a plea of mitigation, Rampersaud’s attorney told the court that the man, who was the sole breadwinner for his family and took care of his grandmother, was remorseful and as a young man could also be rehabilitated.

After he was asked if he had anything to say, Rampersaud blamed his fate on his teenage coaccused. Rampersaud said that his intention was only to rob Ali but his 16-yearold co-accused took a frying pan at the time and hit Ali.

Before the sentence was handed down, State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs asked the court to consider the way in which the 56year-old was killed and the fact that Rampersaud showed no remorse. The prosecutor further asked that the court through sentence send a strong message to other persons who may want to commit such acts, while informing the court that such crimes are on the increase.

Justice Kissoon during sentencing took into consideration the nature of the crime and even the accused’s claim that he was under the influence of cocaine at the time. The judge further took into consideration the autopsy report, which showed that the woman was also sexually assaulted.

Rampersaud was given a life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years.

Ali’s body was discovered by neighbours on October 17th 2016 on the floor of her bedroom. The neighbours had reported that she had not been seen since two days prior.

Following the discovery, the police had arrested Rampersaud’s then 14year-old co-accused after learning that he and Ali had an argument days prior to the discovery of her body. Rampersaud was later arrested.

Relatives had related that they believed the woman was killed between the night of October 15th and the morning of October 16th as her body was already in an advanced state of decomposition when it was discovered.