Four remanded to prison for dousing woman with acid

Four women were on Friday remanded to prison for the attempted murder of 24-year-old Renesha Maxwell. They are accused of dousing the woman with a corrosive substance on January 21, 2022.

Jennifer Validen, a 28-year-old mother of three of Albouystown; Alana Holder, a 28-year-old mother of three of East La Penitence; Gailann Marks, a 21-year-old mother of two of West Ruimveldt; and Latifah DaCosta, a 26-year-old mother of one of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, appeared before City Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

The quartet was not required to plea to the charge, which alleged that on January 21, 2022, at Princess Street, Georgetown, they caused grievous bodily harm to Maxwell with intent to commit murder.

The prosecutor objected to the defendants being released on bail since the victim was severely burnt and is still hospitalised. The prosecutor further told the court that the parties involved were once best friends, but had a fall-out.

He also told the court that minutes before the attack, the defendants attempted to throw a “liquid substance” on the victim, but she had managed to escape in a taxi.

However, she observed a car following her and told the driver to stop. She then observed the four defendants exiting the trailing car and they approached her.

Validen allegedly threw a liquid substance on Maxwell and she immediately felt a burning sensation about her body.

Maxwell was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Based on the nature and gravity of the case, the Magistrate remanded the quartet to prison until February 25, 2022.