Teen among five charged with murder of second Corentyne fishermen

Five men were on Thursday (May 11, 2017) remanded for the murder of a second fisherman during the act of piracy.

The men were in June 2016 remanded for the murder of Hemchand Sookdeo of #55 Village, Corentyne which occurred on May 28, 2016. However, on Thursday, following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), they were also charged with the murder of Dianand Ramphal.

The suspects are 19 year old Steffon Leacock of 366 #77 Village, Corentyne, 24 year old Ramchand Latchman of 198 #65 Village, 41 year old Ganesh Naidoo of Kingston Road, Corriverton, 55 year old Ramesh Singh of Liverpool, and 29 year old Leon Sammy of #79 Village, Corentyne.

They appeared in the Whim Magistrates Court before Magistrate, Charlyn Artiga and were not required to plead to the indictable offence.

According to reports, the fishermen were out at sea in the Corentyne river when they were attacked by the five accused and thrown overboard and left to drown.

The accused also escaped with the fishermen’s catch for the day, fuel and other equipment.

After hearing the case, the Magistrate refused bail and transferred the matter to the #51 magistrate’s court on May 17, 2017.