14 years jail for farmer who stabbed neighbour to death

Godfrey Dass, a 47-year-old farmer was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment Tuesday for fatally stabbing his neighbour, Kenneth Kennedy with a knife to the head during a drinking spree on June 25, 2009, at Port Kaituma, North West District.

Dass, a father of two, was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court after spending ten years on remand; he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law Mark Conway; attorneys-at-law Teriq Mohamed, Abigail Gibbs and Tuanna Hardy presented the case for the State.

The News Room understands that Dass and Kennedy are neighbours and on the day in question, they were consuming alcohol when an argument ensued.

Dass became annoyed, armed himself with a knife and stabbed Kennedy to the head.

Kennedy was picked up in an unconscious state and was rushed to the Port Kaituma where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Justice Singh, before passing sentence, told Dass to stay away from alcohol since he was under the influence when he committed the crime. The Judge urged Dass to use his time spent imprisoned to be rehabilitated.

Justice Singh, after considering Dass early guilty plea, sentenced him to 14 years jail.

The Judge also ordered the prison authorities to deduct the time Dass on remand from his sentence.