Trio confesses to killing fishermen during 2016 piracy attack

Three men on Wednesday confessed to the murders of four fishermen who were killed during a piracy attack in 2016.

Ramesh Singh, Stephon Leacock and Ganesh Naidoo, appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court.

The men admitted to killing Hemchand Sookdeo, 45, called ‘Dread’, a father of five of Number 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Dochan Sukra known as ‘Butcher’, 54; Dhanpaul Ramphal, known as ‘Sunil’, 38  and Munish Churman, 26, called ‘Boyo’ of No. 60 Village.

The crime occurred on May 28, 2016, in the Lower Shell Area off Nickerie, Suriname waters. Sentencing was adjourned to December 4, 2023.

Meanwhile, two other men, Ramchand Latchman and Leon Sammy, who were also charged jointly, have pleaded not guilty. Their trial is expected to commence on November 14, before a 12-member jury.

The State is represented by prosecutor Muntaz Ali.

According to reports, boat captain Seepersaud Persaud and his four fishermen were out at sea in the Corentyne River when they were attacked by the defendants and thrown overboard.

The pirates first threw Sookdeo, who was injured and bleeding, into the water. Then, the other three were bound and strapped to anchors. They, too, were thrown into the ocean.

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

Sookdeo was rescued by another vessel after swimming for almost three hours.

Days later, acting on information received, police went to No. 65 Village foreshore, Corentyne, where they saw a boat matching the description given.

The five men who were aboard were arrested and later charged.