60 years jail for pensioner who murdered brother-in-law

A 65-year-old man was on Thursday sentenced to 60 years imprisonment for the murder of his brother-in-law, which occurred in 2016.

Les Charles Critchlow was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.  In February, a 12-member-jury found Critchlow guilty of the charge, which read that on May 12, 2016, at Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), he murdered Terrence Adams, called “Uncle Terry” or “Sleepy”.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Justice Singh said that it was an “unfortunate case” for which Critchlow showed no genuine remorse. He also noted that Critchlow is still in denial.

Critchlow apologised for his actions but maintained that he was innocent.  Justice Singh ordered prison authorities to deduct the time Critchlow spent on remand from the 60-year prison sentence.

Critchlow was represented by attorney-at-law Racheal Bakker, while the State was represented by prosecutor, Tiffani Lyken.

Last year, the case was first called before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry where Critchlow opted to plead guilty to lesser count of murder.  However, on sentencing day, Critchlow changed his plea and the matter was sent for a fresh trial.

According to reports, Adams, 56, of North Haslington is the brother of Critchlow’s wife.

On the day in question, the men were involved in a heated argument during which it is alleged that Critchlow armed himself with a knife and stabbed Adams to his left and right-side chest, and neck.

Adams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead.