Bagotville man, 22, burnt after unknown substance thrown on him

Daniel Phillips, a 22-year-old resident of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was burnt on Saturday night after an unknown substance was thrown on him during a scuffle near his home.

Marisa Phillips, Daniel’s sister, told the News Room that there were about four persons involved in the scuffle with her brother on Saturday night. Those individuals also reside in the neighbourhood and have been allegedly harassing the Phillips family for years.

Police Officers were also at the scene when the bottle with the unknown substance that burnt Daniel was hurled at him.

Marisa explained that those ranks were there because her family complained about the harassment they were facing; she also noted that one of the aggressors threatened her earlier that day.

She, however, alleged that the Police Officers did not render any assistance to her brother and her family was forced to rush him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital themselves. It was only until after 01:00 hr Sunday morning that officers showed up at the hospital to take a report, Marisa said.

The young man received treatment and has been sent home to rest and recover. Marisa, however, said her family is begging the relevant authorities to intervene so that her family no longer has to endure the harassment.

“We just need help, we’re not getting any help, we don’t want to have to fight back and somebody die.

“When we make reports, and let them (the Police) know what is happening, nothing happens. We are crying for help,” she said.

The Guyana Police Force has not yet released a statement on the matter and efforts to contact the Corporate Communications Unit and the Regional Police Commander, Mahendra Siwnarine have so far been futile.