Two years jail for businessman in East Bank fatal accident

A 44-year-old businessman was on Tuesday sentenced to two-year imprisonment after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Ramanand Jagdeo of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was found guilty by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan following the conclusion of his trial.

The court heard that on February 22, 2018, at Peters Hall Public Road, EBD, Jagdeo drove motor car PRR 4395 in a dangerous manner which caused the death of Alexander Appiah.

The father of four was initially out on $1.5M bail. The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector, Neville Jeffers and Jagdeo was represented by Attorney-at-law, Paul Fung-A-Fat.

The Prosecution argued that on the day in question, at about 21:00hrs, Jagdeo was reportedly speeding along the Peters Hall Public Road when he collided with the pedal cyclist who was riding on the eastern side of the road.

Due to the force of impact, Appiah’s left leg was severed from his body.

He was taken in an unconscious state to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Chief Magistrate, in her ruling, noted that based on the evidence, the defendant drove his car without due care and consideration.

She also found that the accused was inattentive.

In a plea of mitigation, the attorney begged the Magistrate not to jail his client but to impose a fine and suspended his licence.